FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Gallaudet University's seven-match win streak in volleyball came to an end on Thursday night as the Bison dropped a 3-0 match to the hands of University of Mary Washington on the road in the Goolrick Gymnasium. The Bison lost 25-20, 25-15, 25-14 to the Eagles, a former foe from the Capital Athletic Conference.

Gallaudet (12-9) last lost three weeks ago on September 18 in Salisbury, Md., to Baldwin-Wallace by the same 3-0 score. The Bison from that point on won seven straight including six consecutive shutout victories. GU outscored its opponents 21-1 during that span.

The Eagles (14-7) jumped out in the first set and won 25-20 to hold off the Bison. Mary Washington rolled from there with set wins of 25-15 and 25-14.

Sophomores Ann Whited (Fishers, Ind.) and Mari Klassen (White Rock, British Columbia) finished with seven kills each. Junior Micaela Paulone (Fishers, Ind.) had 16 digs to pace the Bison while fellow junior Paige Johnson (North Richland Hills, Texas) passed out 17 assists.

The two teams split the season series last year 1-1 as the visiting team won each match 3-2. Gallaudet won the most important match against Mary Washington in the conference semifinal round to advance to the title game in the final year the Bison were a member of the CAC.

Gallaudet has little time to dwell on the loss as the Bison will host the annual Worthington Classic. The two-day tournament begins tomorrow (Friday, October 8) and lasts through Saturday, October 9. The Bison welcome seven teams to the Field House for the tournament. There will be eight matches each day. Gallaudet will face Meredith (2 p.m.) and Emerson (8 p.m.) on Friday followed by a 11 a.m. match on Saturday morning against Sweet Briar. Gallaudet's final match of the tournament will either be at 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. depending on the earlier outcomes. You can follow the Worthington Classic online via the official tournament web page located here: www.gallaudetathletics.com/sports/wvball/2010-11/worthingtonclassic.