MARYVILLE – A pair of 3-1 losses Friday that easily could have gone the other way were Maryville's fate on Day 1 of the Maryville College Invitational.
The Scots lost 3-1 to Hanover, including a 26-24 decision in the crucial third set. They then fell by the same score to Brevard, scoring in the 20s in all four sets but coming away empty in the win column. One of Saturday's feature games now stands to be the undefeated matchup of Hanover vs. Brevard for tournament bragging rights at 3 p.m.
First-year
Brooke Oliver led the way for the Scots with 24 kills on the day and
Landry Frisch added 18.
Kayli Altom contributed 10 kills, including eight in the Brevard match.
Dakota Vaiese posted 35 assists to 27 for
Megan Fairburn, and
Katelyn Eldred led the home team with 38 digs and six service aces.
Maryville answered a 25-16 loss to Hanover in Set 1 with a 25-16 win in Set 2. Then there were eight ties in the decisive third set, including deadlocks at 20-20, 21-21, 22-22 and 24-24. But Hanover kills by Elliot Mays and Abbey McCoy sealed the set win for the Panthers, who then cruised 25-11 in the fourth set.
In the nightcap, Maryville knocked off Brevard 25-19 in the opening set before the Tornadoes bounced back with three close victories. Brevard won 25-20 and led most of the way in the third set. The Tornados were in front 18-9 and 21-13 before the Scots put on a furious rally to tie the set at 23-all. But then a Maryville attack error followed by a Caroline Moon service ace that just trickled over the net in Brevard's favor sealed the win and a 2-1 lead for the visitors.
The fourth set was even closer, with 17 ties and six lead changes. The final tie came at 22-22 before Moon, Emma Fontana and Ashley Hoxit posted three consecutive kills to close out the Scots.
The Scots are back in action Saturday with matches against Concordia Chicago at 1 p.m. and Wisconsin Lutheran at 5 p.m. Play begins at 11 a.m. with Concordia Chicago taking on Randolph-Macon.
