LEXINGTON, Va. — Averett University volleyball defeated St. Mary's College of Maryland 3-1, but the Cougars' perfect start came to an end with a 3-0 loss to host Washington and Lee University Friday night during the first day of the Washington and Lee Invitational.

Averett (6-1) fought past a solid St. Mary's team that had edged Randolph-Macon College earlier in the day. The Cougars won the first two sets 25-18 and 25-18. The Seahawks battled back to take the third set 25-19. Averett finished off St. Mary's 25-22 in the fourth set to clinch the match.

No individual statistics were immediately available for Averett's match against St. Mary's.

In the nightcap, Washington and Lee (5-1) defeated Averett 25-21, 25-20 and 25-14. In the first two sets, the Cougars got behind early and nearly caught up before the Generals held them off. Junior Hannah Shields led Averett with 11 kills and nine digs. Junior Sarah Smoot added seven kills, sophomore Emily Stanley had eight digs, junior Christiana Summa had six digs and sophomore Keenan Marks had 27 assists.

Averett faces Southern Virginia University and Randolph-Macon on Saturday. The Cougars dispatched Southern Virginia 3-2 in the season opener Sept. 1 in Danville.