Fredericksburg, Va. -- Despite a career-high 22 kills from Abbi Leeper, University of Lynchburg's volleyball team lost in four sets Friday, 23-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-16, to William Peace in the opener of a weekend three-match set at University of Mary Washington.

Leeper's big match started early as the senior collected seven kills in the first set. Lynchburg found itself an an early hole, trailing 10-3, but Leeper's right arm and strong defensive play all around dragged the Hornets back into it. The Hornets still trailed, 22-20, but they took five of the final six points – the final two Leeper kills – to seize the first set.

The second was close throughout, the Hornets trailing 22-21 before William Peace rallied to even the match. In the third, Lynchburg leapt to a 6-2 lead, but the Pacers clawed back to tie it at 16 and finished the set on a 9-4 run. The fourth was all William Peace as well, the Pacers leading by as many as eight as they nailed down a second win against Lynchburg in less than a week's span. WPU also won in four sets on Saturday in Raleigh, N.C.

Leeper's career-night topped the 20 kills she tallied March 25, 2021 in a win over Randolph College. The senior from Midlothian carried an outstanding .328 hitting percentage and made just three attack errors. Freshman libero Cassi Blackmore led the back row with 28 digs, while sophomore Mya Green had 28 assists and 14 digs.

Lynchburg (5-3) will look ahead to a busy day Saturday with a pair of matches against quality opponents, 10 a.m. versus Stevenson and 4 p.m. against weekend host Mary Washington.

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--LYN--