BALTIMORE, Md. -- A historic 2025 campaign for the University of Lynchburg Hornets came to a close following a 3-2 loss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Hornets (26-5) and the Herons (24-7) faced off in what ultimately became one of four five-set affairs on the opening day of the tournament.

The high-level joust between the two sides began with a competitive and intense opening frame. Neither team led by more than three points, as both traded powerful swings throughout the first set. Down by two late, a 5-0 Lynchburg run pushed the Hornets back in front on their way to a 25-23 victory.

The second set provided more of the same high-energy volleyball and elite play on both sides of the court. The lead never grew beyond four, a margin briefly held by the Hornets. What initially appeared to be a Lynchburg-leaning set shifted dramatically in the late stages. After trailing 22-18, William Smith rattled off a 4-0 run to tie the score and carried that momentum into a 10-4 surge to win the frame, 28-26.

The third set was the lone outlier of the evening, as the Hornets played a dominant brand of volleyball from the opening whistle. Lynchburg stormed out to an 11-2 lead and ultimately cruised to a 25-15 win.

Lynchburg seemed poised to capitalize on its momentum to start the fourth, jumping out to a 9-4 advantage. But the Herons responded with a 9-2 run to climb right back into the frame before seizing control with a 5-0 spurt. After flipping the set on its head, the Herons forced a decisive fifth.

Rejuvenated by their season-saving rally, the Herons took the lead early in the fifth and never relinquished it. William Smith closed out the match 15-10 to advance to the second round.

The Hornets finished the season with the best conference record in program history while also tying the mark for most wins in a single season. Additionally, the team earned its first-ever NCAA Tournament berth.

Lynchburg made history in a variety of ways, cracking the top 10 in the record book for 16 different single-season statistical categories.

"I couldn't be prouder as a coach of our student-athletes and our program as a whole. We've come a really long way in the last couple of years. To find our way into our first NCAA Tournament and to tie the program's wins record, along with a plethora of other firsts in program history — I'm forever indebted to them as a coach and as a human being. I love them all dearly, and I'm very honored to be their coach," said Director of Women's Volleyball Kevin Cardoza.

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