LEXINGTON, Va. - The Bridgewater College volleyball team dropped two close matches to Southern Virginia and No. 10 Berry on Friday at the W&L Invitational.

Game One: Bridgewater 2, Southern Virginia 3 (23-25, 18-25, 25-13, 26-24, 14-16)

After falling behind two sets to none, the Eagles dominated set three, holding Southern Virginia to their lowest hitting percentage of the night at .023. 

Southern Virginia led 14-10 to start the must-win fourth set for Bridgewater. After several Knight errors and strong Eagle serving, Bridgewater was able to take a 21-18 edge with three kills from Hope Jennings in four points. A Southern Virginia attack error gave BC the set to push a fifth and final frame.

The Knights controlled majority of fourth set, leading 14-10. With Southern Virginia needing just one point to take the match, the Eagles rallied off four straight points behind the serve of Jessica Bissmeyer to tie the deciding set at 14 all. Despite a valiant effort, the Eagles were not able to complete the reverse sweep and fell 16-14 in the fifth.

Bissmeyer posted a career-high 39 digs, the third most digs in a match in BC history. Jennings tied her career-high with 16 kills and ten digs for a double-double. Ashley Casey also contributed a double-double with ten kills and 13 digs. Lisa O'Grady was the final Eagle in double digit kills with 14. Lauren Nofsinger contributed seven total blocks and Grace Hayes had 44 assists.

Game Two: Bridgewater 1, No. 10 Berry 3 (25-16, 17-25, 16-25, 21-25)

Bridgewater jumped out to an impressive start in set one, holding the No. 10 Vikings to a -.032 hitting percentage and dominate every aspect of the game. The Vikings answered in set two with their best hitting percentage of the night at .324. 

The Eagles came close in the fourth set with a potential to push their second fifth-setter of the day but could catch the nationally ranked Vikings, falling in four sets.

Hayes posted a double-double with 25 assists and 13 digs. Bissmeyer and Ashley Rutherford both had 14 digs, and Ann-Marie Johnson recorded a career-high 10 kills. 

Bridgewater returns to action tomorrow on day two of the W&L Invitational where they will face Marietta at 11:00 a.m.