Mary Baldwin opened its 2023 USA South Athletic Conference schedule Saturday with a trip to Brevard, N.C., and fell to both Brevard and Methodist by 3-0 margins.
The Fighting Squirrels opened the day with a 3-0 setback to the host Tornados. MBU jumped on top early in the first set, but the hosts rallied for a 25-19 victory and followed with wins of 25-13 and 25-14 to clinch the win. Senior
Megan Andrews along with sophomores
Delaney Bolbach and
Hanna Roach each contributed six kills vs. Brevard. Andrews also had three solo blocks and one block assist.  Freshman
Jaisley Tibayan chipped in 12 digs while classmate
Josie Sheets led the team with 15 assists and added eight digs.
In the second match, Methodist took charge early on the way to set wins of 25-9, 25-14 and 25-16. Roach exploded for 10 of the Fighting Squirrels 18 kills in the match and recorded one of the team's two solo blocks. Sheets contributed 13 of MBU's 18 assists along with one of the team's three service aces.
MBU (2-9, 0-2 USA South) returns to conference play Tuesday when Southern Virginia visits the PAC for a 7 p.m. contest.