LEXINGTON, Va. — Averett University volleyball suffered its first defeat in more than a month in a 3-0 loss at non-conference foe Washington and Lee University on Tuesday night. The loss ended the Cougars' program-record 17-match winning streak.

Washington and Lee (17-6) won 25-21, 25-17 and 27-25.

Averett (24-3) battled back several times in the first set after getting behind early. Down 13-7, the Cougars rattled off seven straight points to go in front. The Generals went back in front before Averett again used a rally to tie it at 18-18. However, Washington and Lee won the next four points to take control before sealing the opening frame.

Averett had to play catch-up again in the second set after falling behind 10-3, but it was up to the challenge and closed the gap to 12-11. Knotted at 14-14, Washington and Lee pulled away with a 9-0 run to go ahead 2-0 in the match.

Despite being down, Averett kept fighting in hopes eventually getting to five sets. A back-and-forth battle throughout the third set, Averett couldn't capitalize on set point, and Washington and Lee took the next three points to win 27-25 and clinch the match.

Senior Hannah Shields had a double-double of 11 kills and 13 digs. Sophomore Abby Taylor added eight kills for the Averett attack, while sophomore Brianna Williams added six kills and five blocks. Defensively, the Cougars were led by junior Emily Stanley's 15 digs. Junior Keenan Marks and freshman McKenzie Miller finished with 19 assists and 13 assists, respectively.

Although one streak ended, the Cougars still have another streak on the line — a 36-match conference winning streak during the regular season dating back to 2015 — when they face conference foe Ferrum College at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.