SALISBURY, Md. --Â The University of Lynchburg volleyball team split its final non-conference regular-season matches Saturday, sweeping Mary Washington 3-0 (25-12, 26-24, 25-18) before falling to Salisbury 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-22).
The Hornets (24-3, 9-1 ODAC) have now tied for the third-most wins in a single season in program history, with one regular-season match and the ODAC postseason still ahead.
In the afternoon opener, Lynchburg squared off with Mary Washington (7-21) in a neutral-site matchup and imposed its will early with a strong offensive presence. The Hornets tallied 42 kills while hitting .242 as a team. Junior outside hitter Tori Williamson led the charge with a dominant 13-kill performance on 19 swings with just one error, finishing with a .632 attack percentage. She also delivered a match-high four service aces.
Lynchburg's front line was equally disruptive, piling up nine total blocks and holding the Eagles to just .092 hitting and 24 kills overall. Junior middle hitter Ava Meinhardt posted a team-best three blocks.
Mary Washington pushed hard in the second set, forcing extra points, but the Hornets stayed composed in the clutch and carried that momentum into the final frame to secure the sweep. Lynchburg also held strong defensively with 41 digs while distributing the ball efficiently — finishing with 40 assists and three aces.
The Hornets then turned around to face a talented Salisbury squad on the Sea Gulls' home court.
In a match where every set went down to the wire, Salisbury's efficiency at the net proved decisive. The Sea Gulls hit .304 with 43 kills, edging out Lynchburg's .216 clip on 39 kills.
Junior outside hitter Kate Hardie powered the Hornet offense with 15 kills, while Jacqueline Bryant added eight and Leah DiNardo contributed seven. Setter Mya Green directed the attack with 12 assists, and Alexis Scipione chipped in eight more. Libero Cassi Blackmore led the defensive effort with nine digs.
Lynchburg produced six service aces and 44 digs in the matchup, but Salisbury's 10-3 blocking advantage stifled late-set surges from the Hornets in all three frames.
Lynchburg now turns its focus to its regular-season finale on Wednesday, Nov. 5 on the road at Hollins (10-15, 0-10 ODAC).
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