DeSales Box
Ithaca Box

The Albright College volleyball team opened its 2013 season at the DeSales Invitational, dropping a pair of matches to tough teams.

Despite a good start, Albright lost its first match of 2013 to DeSales, 3-0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-20).

Freshman Maddy Greth totaled seven kills, 11 digs and two blocks in her first collegiate game, while junior Marisa Bartone had four kills on 11 attempts. Bartone also spearheaded several Lion rallies from the serve.

Senior Christa Mantz had team-highs for kills (eight) and digs (15), and classmate Morgan Heath totaled 27 assists. Junior Kyrsten Stanford had seven kills.

Greth led off the opening game with a kill. Down 5-1, Blimline's service ace kicked off a six-point run that finally ended on the junior's attack error.

Kills from Stanford and Mantz gave Albright three-point lead (9-6), and two straight Greth points pushed the gap to 14-9. Another Blimline ace had the Lions in good shape with a 19-15 lead, but DeSales ran off five consecutive points to overtake them.

Albright was in game two, trailing just 16-12, when DeSales recorded three straight points to gain separation.

The Red and White would take another early lead in game three, with a Heath service ace and Mantz kill staking them to a 4-0 advantage.

Down 17-13, Blimline had a kill and then served for three further points to tie. Albright couldn't keep momentum however, as DeSales answered with a 7-1 run to get to match point.

The Red and White took a set in their second match of the day, falling 3-1 to Ithaca (25-23, 25-16, 20-25, 25-17).

Blimline and Greth led the way again, with a team-best 12 kills each. Greth added two service aces and Heath had 30 assists.

Albright won the third set after rallying from a 10-7 deficit, taking the lead on two straight kills by Mantz.

Three straight errors by an Ithaca player made it 14-11 Lions, and Jordan Gibson's service ace later pushed the gap to 22-16. Mantz' kill capped the Lion's game three win.

Albright (0-2 overall) will continue tournament play tomorrow with matches against Muhlenberg and Cabrini.