GEORGETOWN, Texas -- The Washington and Lee volleyball team split a pair of matches during the first day of competition at the Southwestern Invitational held in Georgetown, Texas on Friday evening. The Generals fell to 21st-ranked Ohio Northern, 32-30, 18-30, 17-30, 26-30, then defeated Hardin-Simmons, 16-30, 30-21, 30-20, 26-30, 15-9.
In the loss to ONU (18-7), W&L was paced by sophomore outside hitter Laura Maurer (Sparta, N.J./Pope John XXIII), who posted 19 kills. Sophomore right side Jessica Ulrich (Gettysburg, Pa./Gettysburg) notched 11 kills, while junior right side Jess Hudock (Tampa, Fla./Holy Names) tallied 17 digs and three blocks. Senior libero Lauren Edmonson (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge) recorded 21 digs and freshman setter Kristi Stevens (Overland Park, Kan./Shawnee Mission South) amassed a team-high 24 assists.
In the win over Hardin-Simmons (11-10), Maurer posted 15 kills, while senior outside hitter Ashley Hurt (Altamonte Springs, Fla./Trinity Prep) totaled 14 kills. Ulrich added 12 kills and five blocks and sophomore middle blocker Abbey Wilson (Midlothian, Va./Midlothian) registered 11 kills. Junior setter Lauren Rudolph (Ft. Wayne, Ind./Concordia Lutheran) amassed 30 assists and Edmonson tallied 20 digs.
Washington and Lee (18-5) will continue with the final day of action on Saturday as it faces Lakeland at 2:30 pm and 10th-ranked Southwestern at 5:00 pm.
-- GENERALS --
