LYNCHBURG, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg women's volleyball team fell just short of completing the reverse sweep in the ODAC semifinal, dropping a 2–3 battle to the Bridgewater Eagles.
With the defeat, Lynchburg's fate now falls in the hands of the NPI for an NCAA Tournament selection. The Hornets currently stand at No. 18 with 21 total at-large bids available. The tournament selection show will take place next Monday, Nov. 17, at 1 p.m.
Kate Hardie finished with a team-high 18 kills for the Hornets. Leah DiNardo and Ava Meinhardt tallied double-digit kills with 16 and 11, and both with an attcking percentage of .400 0r better. The pair of middle hitters also combined for 4.5 blocks. Cassi Blackmore had a strong outing, as the senior libero claimed 22 digs, followed by Kailey Keough with 13.
Bridgewater opened the match with two strong sets. The Eagles' offense rarely made mistakes and was extremely efficient early. In the first set, Bridgewater posted 15 kills with just three errors, while Lynchburg tallied 11 kills and six errors. A decisive 14–2 Eagles run early in the frame created too much of an uphill battle, resulting in a 25–16 opening-set loss for the Hornets.
The second set followed a similar script, with Bridgewater jumping out to a 10–1 lead in the first 11 points. Although the two sides traded runs the rest of the way, the early deficit again proved costly as the Eagles extended their lead to 2–0.
Nevertheless, the Hornets continued to fight, and Turner Gymnasium stayed full and energized. Lynchburg found its footing in the third frame, opening up a 7–4 advantage. For the first time all night, the Hornets weren't forced to climb out of an early hole, and momentum quickly shifted. Hardie and DiNardo each notched six kills in the set to propel Lynchburg to a 25–21 win.
Lynchburg delivered its most dominant set of the night in the fourth. The Hornets held Bridgewater to an attacking percentage of .000 (seven kills, seven errors) while recording 17 kills of their own. Despite a 5–0 Bridgewater start, Lynchburg surged late, led by Meinhardt's five kills to force a decisive fifth set with a 25–20 victory.
The final frame opened competitively, tied at six through the first 12 points. But the Eagles eventually rediscovered their rhythm, closing the door on the Hornets' comeback effort. Bridgewater claimed the set 15–9 to secure its berth in the ODAC Championship.
