Danville, Va. - Lynchburg opened their weekend tournament with matchups against the Meredith Angels and Salem Tigers, both riddled with constant momentum shifts and late-game dramatics. 

The Hornets started strongly, claiming the first set 25-23. However, Meredith reclaimed the momentum taking the next two frames 25-23 and 25-20. 

Nonetheless, Cardoza and company quickly turned the tide in the fourth set. 

A 6-0 run by Lynchburg, highlighted by four kills from Kailey Keough, gave Lynchburg a 10-4 advantage and ultimately led to a 25-17 victory. 

At two sets a piece, Lynchburg and Meredith headed to a fifth set in their first contest of the season. 

In a back-and-forth affair that had accumulated 24 ties and nine lead changes through the first four sets, it continued to be more of the same.

After six more ties and five lead changes in the final set, the Hornets prevailed with a 15-10 triumph to secure a 3-2 victory. 

Quickly after their first victory of the season, the Hornets retook the court to face the Salem Tigers. 

Lynchburg picked up right where they left off, claiming the first two frames 25-21 and 26-24. 

However, Salem refused to go down without a fight. The Tigers responded with two dominant back-to-back sets, with a 26-24 and 25-19 victory. Salem did not allow Lynchburg to lead in either of these frames. 

But once again, Lynchburg came alive in the final set, prevailing 19-17 for a 3-2 victory.

Bree Spainhour led the way offensively on the day for Lynchburg with a combined 28 kills and 31.5 points through their two games. Ava Meinhardt collected nine blocks on the defensive end, while Tori Williamson tallied 48 digs.

After a 2-0 start to the season after day one of the cougar classic, Lynchburg looks to continue their success on day two. The Hornets will face Bob Jones at 10 am and Methodist at 2 pm.

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--LYN--