NEWPORT NEWS, Va. ­— Going up against some of the best Division III teams in the nation, the Averett University volleyball team concluded its run at the Christopher Newport University Invitational with a 3-1 loss to No. 4 Juaniata College and a 3-0 loss to DeSales University.
 
After dropping the first set 25-17, Averett (8-7) held its own against Juaniata (11-0), dominating the Eagles 25-14 in the second set. After a quick timeout, the Cougars rattled off four consecutive points to pick up the victory. However, the Cougars were unable to hold that momentum over the third and fourth sets as Juaniata rebounded to win 25-13 and 25-15 over the course of the next two sets. 
 
Sophomore Hannah Shields paced the Cougars with eight kills and 15 digs, while freshman Jordan Pitzer turned in a strong effort with seven kills and five digs. Adding to the offensive attack was sophomore Jessica Sheek who recorded four service aces and freshman Danielle Reed added three. Averett also received a strong defensive performance from sophomore Christiana Summa who recorded 14 digs in the opening game.
 
DeSales (9-5) downed the Cougars 25-19, 25-17and 25-14 in the second contest. Shields once again led Averett in kills, recording nine. Pitzer also had another strong performance against the Bulldogs, finishing with six kills, while sophomore Sarah Smoot finished with three. Defensively, Summa led the Cougars with 11 digs and Smoot and sophomore Jordyn Minton each contributed five kills.
 
Averett gets back to USA South Conference action on Tuesday night when it hosts Mary Baldwin College at 7 p.m.