WINCHESTER, Va. – The Shenandoah University volleyball team opened up its home slate Friday evening with a 3-1 ODAC loss to Bridgewater.
 
Shenandoah (4-10, 1-4 ODAC) was a 25-14 winner in the opening set before the Eagles (6-7, 3-2) won at 18, 21, and 22 to close out the match.
 
IN BRIEF
The Hornets, playing before an unlimited crowd for the first time since the 2019 season, came out on fire in the opening set. After giving up the opening point of the set, SU reeled off 10 straight points to lead, 10-1, and eventually expanded the advantage out to 20-8 before coasting home to the 25-14 victory.
 
Coach Kent Clayberg's club hit .132 (12-7—38) in that opening set while the Eagles were -.100 (5-9—40). Brooke Gast had five of the hosts 12 kills.
 
BC controlled set two and three, using a 6-0 run in the second and a 5-1 run in the third to take leads it would not relinquish.
 
The fourth was the most competitive set as the two teams combined for 18 ties and six lead changes. The last lead proved to be the Hornets downfall as Bridgewater erased a 20-18 deficit with a 7-2 run to end the contest.
 
Junior Kate Poppo led the hosts with 18 kills while Jillian Warter added 15, Gast 11 and Aaliyah Chunn 10.
 
Caitlyn Houck had 46 assists with Poppo pacing the defense with 24 digs.
 
Brooke Wagner backed up Poppo with 22 digs.
 
UP NEXT
The Hornets are right back on the court Saturday, traveling two hours south on I-81 to play in a tri-match at Washington & Lee. The Hornets take on Christopher Newport in addition to the host Generals.
 
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