Mars Hill, NC –Bluefield State University volleyball opened the season with a victory over Shorter University (3-0), and later fell to Mars Hill University (3-0).

The Big Blue took down Shorter University 25-19, 27-25, and 25-22 in game one of the Tony Fontanelle Memorial Tournament.

Shorter pulled ahead early in set one, but the Big Blue even the score at six after a kill from Jannice Lynch. The Big Blue took their first lead of the set (11-9) after an error from Shorter and a kill from Imani Stokes and Allyson Martin. The Big Blue scored five consecutive points to pull away 16-10. After a kill from Martin, an ace from Kateryna Dashevska secured set one for the Big Blue.

After back-and-forth battling, Shorter scored two consecutive to pull ahead 19-16. The Big Blue answered with three of their own to even the score at 19. Shorter took the lead 25-24 before a kill from Stokes and two miscues lead to the Big Blue taking set two.

The Big Blue jumped out to an 4-1 lead before Shorter tied it up 7-7. The Big Blue had two three point runs late in the set to pull away 21-15. Despite a late run from Shorter, a kill from BriShaela McHaney secured the third set and 25-22 victory for the Big Blue.

In the opening set of game two, the Big Blue battled with Mars Hill until Mars Hill went on a seven point stretch to pull away by five. Back-to-back kills from Caely Banger and Martin pulled the Big Blue within four, but Mars Hill took set one 25-20.

A kill from Martin opened set two, but Mars Hill six point run late to secure set two 25-15.

The Big Blue jumped out to a 3-1 lead in set three. After falling behind 7-5, the Big Blue took back the lead (9-7) after a serve error, an ace from Lynch and a kill from Martin and Dashevska. Mars Hill answered with a run of their own to take the 13-9 lead. After outscoring the Big Blue 12-6, Mars Hill took set three 25-15.

Up Next

The Big Blue will take on King University (10 a.m.) and Coker University (2:30 p.m.)  in day two of the Tony Fontanelle Memorial Tournament.