BRIDGEWATER, Va. — Averett University volleyball split a pair of non-conference matches on Saturday afternoon. The Cougars rolled past Guilford College 3-0, but fell to host Bridgewater College 3-2 to end the day.
 
Averett (21-8) cruised past Guilford (11-12) in straight sets, winning 25-19, 25-13, 25-10. The Cougars got a double-double of 20 kills and 14 digs from junior Hannah Shields to lead the offense, which finished with a .333 hitting percentage against the Quakers. Freshman Brianna Williams added seven kills, six digs and two block assists. Sophomores Emily Stanley and Keenan Marks each had nine digs, with Marks adding 31 assists. Junior Christiana Summa also had eight digs, while freshman Madison Dadez had four block assists.
 
After knocking off Guilford, Averett lost a five-set thriller with Bridgewater (18-8). The Eagles won 31-29, 21-25, 21-25, 25-17, 16-14. After narrowly losing the opening set in extra points, Averett bounced back to take a 2-1 lead in the match by winning the next two sets. The Eagles fought back to win the fourth set and force the deciding frame.

In the fifth set, Averett lead 10-8 after a Williams kill. Yet, Bridgewater won the next four points to storm ahead 12-10. The two teams traded pairs of points until it was tied 14-14. Then Bridgewater got a kill by Rachel Kinsey and notched the final point on an attack error.

Shields led Averett with 32 kills and 12 digs. Junior Sarah Smoot added 11 kills, while Williams and Dadez each had eight kills. Stanley led the team with 16 digs. Williams and Marks each had 13 digs, with Summa chipping in 10. Marks also totaled 57 assists.
 
Averett finishes non-conference play on Sunday at Roanoke College at 1 p.m.