LEXINGTON, Va. -- The Washington and Lee volleyball team opened its 2007 season by splitting a pair of matches in the first day of the W&L Invitational. The Generals defeated Southern Virginia in the first match of the day, 24-30, 30-28, 30-28, 31-33, 15-10, but fell to Christopher Newport in the nightcap, 30-26, 30-16, 30-14.

In the win over Southern Virginia (7-3), the Generals were paced by junior outside hitter Laura Maurer (Sparta, N.J./Pope John XXIII), who tallied 22 kills and 11 digs. Senior right side Jess Hudock (Tampa, Fla./Holy Names) notched 17 kills, while junior right side Jessica Ulrich (Gettysburg, Pa./Gettysburg Area) posted 10 kills and 13 digs. Senior setter Lauren Rudolph (Ft. Wayne, Ind./Concordia Lutheran) amassed 35 assists and 10 digs.

The loss to Christopher Newport (2-5) ended the Generals' program-record home-court winning streak that had reached 26 matches dating back to the 2005 season. Maurer totaled six kills and eight digs, while Ulrich posted five kills and seven digs. Sophomore setter Megan Steinhardt (Cedar Park, Texas/Cedar Park) added 14 assists.

The Generals continue action on Saturday as they host McDaniel at 10:30 am and Southwestern at 3:30 pm.

DAY ONE SCORES
W&L d. Southern Virginia, 24-30, 30-28, 30-28, 31-33, 15-10
McDaniel d. Southern Virginia, 25-30, 29-31, 30-27, 30-25, 15-11
Christopher Newport d. W&L, 30-26, 30-16, 30-14
Southwestern d. Christopher Newport, 30-20, 30-20, 30-23
Southwestern d. Virginia-Wise, 32-30, 30-23, 30-16
Virginia-Wise d. McDaniel, 30-28, 30-27, 30-26

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