LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. — Averett University volleyball's season came to an end as Maryville College upset the Cougars 3-0 in Saturday's USA South Conference Tournament semifinals hosted by Covenant College. Maryville won 25-23, 25-23 and 27-25.

For the second consecutive day, Averett (27-11) didn't get off to the start it was accustomed to this season. Maryville (18-10) jumped ahead 6-0, prompting a quick timeout by the Cougars. Trailing 22-14, Averett began to regain its form. The Cougars took the next six points to close the gap to 22-20, forcing the Scots to take a timeout. Although Averett tied the game 23-23, Maryville held off the Cougars 25-23 to go ahead 1-0.

Despite losing the first set, the Cougars took some of the momentum they found late in that frame into the second set. Averett built a 19-14 advantage midway through before Maryville mounted a comeback. The Scots inched their way back into it, eventually tying the set at 22-22. Maryville stole the set by taking three of the next four points to put the Cougars on the ropes.

The third set was tight as well. Averett led 18-14 before Maryville again rallied to tie it several times. The Cougars had set point at 25-24 but couldn't capitalize. Maryville won the next three points to eliminate Averett and advance to Saturday's championship match, where it lost to Covenant 3-1.

"I don't feel like that was our team," Averett head coach Danny Miller said. "Yesterday, we struggled a little bit to get into our rhythm (against William Peace University), and I felt the same today. Maryville played really well. They knew what we were going to do and we didn't make any adjustments. It's a tough one. When you've had a good year and everyone is out for you, you have to make sure you bring your top game. I'm not sure we did."

Sophomores Hannah Shields and Sarah Smoot finished with 10 kills and nine kills respectively to lead an Averett offense that had trouble against Maryville's block. Freshman Keenan Marks had 30 assists and 13 digs. Shields had a team-high 19 digs as part of her double-double. Sophomore Christiana Summa chipped in with 12 digs and senior Lindsay Boles had 11 digs. Senior Leslie Fulton made three block assists and senior Katelyn Holley finished her collegiate career with three digs and one service ace.

Shields was one of seven players selected to the USA South All-Tournament Team following the championship match.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, Averett had a successful season in which the Cougars finished 17-2 in the USA South to win the North Division for the second time in three years.

"It was a good year, and it's one of those things you can reflect on later," Miller said. "Right now it just hurts."