FERRUM, Va. – The Mary Baldwin University women's volleyball team battled in a five-set contest against Ferrum in Swartz Gym on Thursday night, eventually falling to the Panthers, 3-2.

The Fighting Squirrels earned wins in the first and third sets by counts of 25-19 and 25-18, respectively. MBU played a very close second set as the Panthers earned the set win, 25-23, but never led by more than three points. FC picked up a fourth-set win by a 25-18 count before coming back after facing a MBU match point at 15-14 to win the set and the match at 17-15.

For the Fighting Squirrels, Rachel Christian finished with a game-high 22 kills and also added a pair of blocks, two service aces and 12 digs. She finished with night with 25.0 points. Michaela Beverly tallied 13 kills on .400 hitting, while Deborah Black finished with six kills. Emma Tomlinson finished with a career-best 40 assists, which she paired with two service aces, four digs and a game-high five block assists.

Madison Cash recorded 15 digs on the night, while Nyla Isaac and Brittany Sharon each recorded 11 digs. In addition, Isaac landed six service aces to lead the match.

On the home side, Ashlynn Wiloughby led the way with 14 kills on an astounding .550 hitting percentage, while Molly Patterson recorded 10 kills. Ashley Roberts led the setters with 24 assists, while Arielle Tritt tallied 20 in the victory. Tritt also dropped in five service aces and added one dig. Layura Henley paced the Panthers with 16 digs, while Kayla Divers finished with 14 of her own.

The Fighting Squirrels are back in action on Saturday, Sept. 21 for a nonconference tri-match at University of Lynchburg. MBU will play Southern Virginia at noon before closing the day against Lynchburg at 4 pm.

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