WASHINGTON – The Gallaudet University women's volleyball team lost it's home opener against Marymount (Va.) University in front of a raucous crowd on Wednesday night in the Field House. The Bison lost to the Saints in three straight sets (23-25, 13-25, 20-25) before a crowd of 331.

GU (6-2) started off the first set on the right foot and held a point or two advantage over Marymount until the match was squared at 18. The Saints (9-2) trailed by two, 18-16, and outscored the Bison 7-2, thanks to five Bison errors, to take a 23-20 lead. Marymount claimed the first set, 25-23, and won handily in the second set, 25-13, as it never trailed. The third set was closer for Gallaudet but the Saints led throughout en route to the 25-20 set win.

The Bison played an aggressive game at the net, with 98 attack attempts, but were no match for the Saints who kept GU to only 26 kills for the night. Sophomore Darriyan Thomas (Vallejo, Calif.) led the Bison with kills (eight) and was second on the team in digs (nine). Senior Danielle Morris (St. Louis, Mich.) also added to the team stats with six digs, four kills, and two service aces.

Prior to the start of the match, the women's volleyball team was recognized with their ninth consecutive American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award. The AVCA Team Academic Award, which was initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors collegiate and high school volleyball teams that displayed excellence in the classroom during the school year by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Gallaudet University President Alan Hurwtiz was in attendance and congratulated the team and wished them good luck this season as the Bison try and win a sixth consecutive North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) championship. In addition to President Hurwitz, Gallaudet Board of Trustees Chair Heather Harker, Provost Dr. Carol Erting, Deans Dr. Isaac Agboola, Dwight Benedict, Dr. Genie Gertz, Dr. Gaurav Mathur, Athletic Director Michael Weinstock and Faculty Athletic Representative Kitty Baldridge were on hand to add their congratulations to the team.

BISON TRACKS

• Senior TraciAnn Hoglind (Fishers, Ind.) had all but two assists (24)
• Senior Kate Fetzer (Noblesville, Ind.) led the team with 10 digs)
• Senior Molly Perkins (Apple Valley, Minn.) had six kills
• Sophomore Kylene Etkie (Austin, Texas) added two service aces
• Both teams had five service aces in the match

UP NEXT
The Bison will be at home next week on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. when they welcome University of Mary Washington for a non-conference match.