LEXINGTON, Va. -- The Washington and Lee volleyball team played a pair of games Saturday, first defeating N.C. Wesleyan 15-4, 15-4, 15-4 in the semifinal round of the W&L Volleyball Invitational. In the finals, however, the Generals (3-1) lost to Catholic University (6-3) by a score of 15-6, 11-15, 15-9, 11-15, and 15-11.

In the semifinal match, the Generals were led by senior outside hitter Nancy Reinhart (Louisville, Ky./Sacred Heart), who tallied 13 kills and 18 digs. Junior defensive specialist Tory Hays (Littleton, Colo./Arapahoe) provided the Generals with stellar back line play, exhibited by her 13 digs.

In the finals, Washington and Lee could not overcome a slow start, losing in five games. In the first game, Washington and Lee trailed 14-0 before scoring a point. The Generals fought valiantly to force the fifth game, where Catholic clinched the championship. The defeat was the first of the season for the Generals. Sophomore middle blocker Lindsay Ruckert (Metairie, La./Sacred Heart) totaled 19 kills and 15 digs in the championship, while sophomore outside hitter Lee Charbonnet (New Orleans, La./Benjamin Franklin) tallied 13 kills and 14 digs.

W&L will return to action on Wednesday, September 15 when they play host to Lynchburg College in their first ODAC match of the season.

Listed below are the results from all the matches in the W&L Invitational today.

W&L d. N.C. Wesleyan, 15-4, 15-4, 15-4 (Semifinal)
Catholic d. St. MaryÕs, 15-10, 15-11, 16-14 (Semifinal)
Catholic d. W&L, 15-6, 11-15, 15-9, 11-15, 15-11 (Championship)
Shenandoah d. Mary Baldwin, 15-8, 15-6, 15-11
St. MaryÕs d. Shenandoah, 15-6, 15-5, 4-15, 15-3
North Carolina Wesleyan d. Mary Baldwin, 15-3, 15-10, 15-12

--GENERALS--