Newport News, Va. -- University of Lynchburg's volleyball team opened the 2021 campaign with a win and a pair of defeats at Christopher Newport's Captains Classic Friday and Saturday.

The Hornets kicked off the season with a 27-25, 25-17, 25-22 loss to Illinois Wesleyan Friday, but Lynchburg rebounded quickly Saturday morning, defeating Cabrini, 25-21, 18-25, 16-25, 25-15, 16-14 in a five-set thriller. No. 24 Susquehanna then topped the Hornets in four sets, 28-26, 25-20, 17-25, 25-20.

Abbi Leeper totaled nine kills and 27 digs for the Hornets in the winning effort over Cabrini, while Paige O'Donnell chipped in 10 kills and Jordan Bartemeyer collected 25 digs. Princess Salifou and Emma Drake added nine kills apiece as well to help Lynchburg erase the 2-1 deficit.

Khoury May led the Lynchburg effort against the 24th-ranked River Hawks, posting 10 kills. Bartemeyer added a team-best 28 digs, while fellow freshman Mya Green chipped in 21. Drake and O'Donnell put down eight and seven kills, respectively.

May also had a team-best 11 kills in Friday's opener versus IWU.

O'Donnell represented the Hornets on the all-tournament team.

Lynchburg will return home to make its season debut in Turner Gymnasium, Wednesday, Sept. 8 against Southern Virginia.

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--LYN--