ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson University volleyball team rallied from a two-set deficit but was unable to complete the comeback, as the Trojans fell in five sets, 3-2 (22-25, 27-29, 25-17, 25-15, 11-15) to Newberry in the long-awaited season opener for both teams, Friday night at the Abney Athletic Center.

"It's a tough way to start the season but congratulations to Newberry on a well-played match," said Anderson head coach Todd Hay. "Unfortunately we got off to a slow start and didn't match their intensity. We had our pportunities to win it in set two and again win set five, but couldn't execute at our best level in crunch time. We'll take a look at the video and see how we can improve. There are a lot of good things to take away from tonight but we have to be better in all aspects of the game."

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Freshman outside hitter Tabitha Wheeler led all players with 24 kills in her debut for the Black and Gold, while coming up with eight digs and four block assists. Junior middle blockers Noelle Knutsen and Neely Shugart each added 10 kills apiece, with Shugart also notching eight block assists. Senior hitter Regan Duty tallied nine kills and three block assists. Junior Meghan DeVaux notched eight digs. Junior setter Madison Roy dished out a match-high 51 assists and recorded eight digs, while sophomores Alexandra Petrilli and Lindsay McCurley came up with 14 digs and 10 digs, respectively.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
Newberry used a surge midway through the first set to gain a narrow lead only to see the Trojans rally to knot the score at 17 apiece. But the Wolves regained a five-point advantage and held off a late rally by the Trojans behind a .391 hitting percentage.

Second Set
The Wolves were even hotter in the second frame, as the visitors edged out to another cushion midway through. AU rallied late to knot the score four times before Newberry claimed the narrow win on the strength of a .412 hitting percentage.

Third Set
It was the Trojans turn in the third frame, as Wheeler, Knutsen and Duty all knocked down three kills apiece and AU notched a .323 hitting percentage. The Trojans steadily pushed out to a 19-12 advantage and held the margin the rest of the way.

Fourth Set
The Trojans scored the first five points of the set and never trailed. They pushed out to a 17-9 lead and behind DeVaux's strong serves and Wheeler's kills, AU built a late 10-point cushion before taking the eight-point win.

Fifth Set
AU carried the momentum into the final set, crafting a quick 9-6 advantage, but the Wolves responded with a 7-1 run to take the lead and go on to the four-point win.

UP NEXT
Following a six-day layoff, the Trojans will play host to preseason league-favorite Wingate in the second match of a season-opening four-match homestand. First-serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Abney Center