DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University volleyball team snagged two victories on Saturday in the first day of its 22nd Annual Cougar Classic at the Grant Center.
 
While Averett (3-0) sealed its first match against Frostburg State University 3-0 (25-23,28-26,25-18), the Bobcats (1-2) put up a fight the entire way as the Cougars only won the first two games by a two-point margin.
 
In its second matchup of the day with Roanoke College, the Maroons forced the Cougars into five sets (25-21, 13-25, 25-20, 20-25, 15-3). After clinching the first set, Averett couldn't rebound from a 9-0 deficit in the second game, but the team bounced back in the third. Averett freshmen Abby Taylor and Benedicte Pederson made a big impact on defense coming off the bench. The two rookies combined for seven of Averett's 10 blocks in the match, and Taylor added eight kills as well. 
 
Just as the squads exchanged set wins, they traded points in the fifth game. Junior outside hitter Sarah Smoot put the score at 14-13 with a kill on a feed from sophomore setter Keenan Marks to give the Cougars match-point. With an attacking hiccup from Roanoke's Alex Wolfe, Averett managed to wrap up the day with another win.
 
Junior outside hitter Hannah Shields totaled 38 kills and 31 digs between the two games and her counterpart Smoot finished with 20 kills. Sophomore outside Emily Stanley contributed 25 digs.
 
Averett returns to action Sunday, Sept. 4 to face Emory & Henry College at 1:30 p.m. and Randolph College at 5:30 p.m.



Cougar Classic Schedule
Saturday, Sept. 3
Main Court
10 a.m. – Frostburg State def. William Peace, 3-1 (19-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-16)
12 p.m. – Roanoke def. Randolph 3-0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-23)
2 p.m. – Averett def. Frostburg State 3-0 (25-23, 28-26, 25-18)
4 p.m.- Guilford def. Emory & Henry 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-23)
6 p.m. – Averett def. Roanoke 3-2 (25-20, 13-25, 25-20, 20-25, 15-13)
 
Side Court
10 a.m. – Salve Regina def. Guilford (25-20, 26-24, 17-25, 20-25, 15-12)
12 p.m. – N.C. Wesleyan def. Emory & Henry (25-21, 29-27, 28-26)
2 p.m. – William Peace def. Salve Regina 3-0 (25-12, 25-23, 25-19)
4 p.m. – Randolph def. N.C. Wesleyan 3-1 (25-20, 20-25, 25-20, 25-18)
 

Sunday, Sept. 4
Main Court
9:30 a.m. – Salve Regina vs. N.C. Wesleyan
11:30 a.m. – Roanoke vs. Salve Regina
1:30 p.m. – Averett vs. Emory & Henry
3:30 p.m. – William Peace vs. Roanoke
5:30 p.m. – Averett vs. Randolph
 
Side Court
9:30 a.m. – Frostburg State vs. Emory & Henry
11:30 a.m. – Guilford vs. William Peace
1:30 p.m. – Randolph vs. Frostburg State
3:30 p.m. – N.C. Wesleyan vs. Guilford