OWINGS MILLS, Md. – The Albright Lions women's volleyball team hung tough in a 3-0 (25-20. 25-10, 25-20) straight-set loss to Stevenson on Tuesday night in MAC Commonwealth play.
 
With the loss, the Lions fall to 5-9 overall and 1-4 in MAC Commonwealth play. Meanwhile, the Mustangs improve to 17-4 overall and 5-1 in conference action.
 
First-year Sophie Hampton led the Lions with a team-high six kills along with two digs and was followed by classmate Rhianna Betley with five kills plus three digs. Senior Brooke Franklin posted four kills and two blocks while classmate Kaitlyn Chell led the defense with 13 digs. First-year Paola Mejias paced the offense with 16 assists and added 12 digs.
 
Stevenson came out red-hot in the first set as they raced out to a 7-1 lead behind three kills. The Mustangs stretched their lead to 10-3 before the Lions began to rally by winning four out of their next five points to make it an 11-7 contest. Stevenson was able to distance themselves again with four-straight points to go up 17-9 after the Lions initially cut the lead back down to 13-9. Albright would get no closer than four points the rest of the way as the Mustangs opened with a 25-20 first set triumph.
 
The Mustangs once again started strong as they took an early 7-2 advantage in the second set. Stevenson took full control of the set by winning 12-straight points to go up 19-3. The Mustangs recorded five kills, took advantage of four Lion errors, and closed the run out with three-straight aces. Albright won four of the next six points to make it a 21-7 contest before the Mustangs responded by closing the set out by winning four of the last seven points.
 
Betley opened the up the third set with a kill for the Lions, but the Mustangs won four-straight points to take a 4-1 lead. Albright pulled within one point of the Mustangs at 6-5 following a kill from junior Grace Andrefski before Stevenson responded by winning five of the next six points to go up 11-6. The Mustangs extended their lead out to 14-9 until the Lions won three-straight points to cut the deficit down to 14-12. Unfortunately for Albright, they would get no closer than two points the rest of the way as the Mustangs closed out the match.
 
A trio of Mustangs tied for the team lead in kills with seven during the contest. Darian Didly led the three players with a .417 hitting percentage while Lauryn Davis recorded a .316 hitting percentage. Mackenzie Blevins paced the Mustangs offense with 18 assists while recording seven kills, seven digs, and two aces.
 
The Lions will return to action on Saturday, October 16th as they will travel to take on Rutgers-Newark at 11 a.m. in non-conference action.