MARYVILLE, Tenn. — Averett University volleyball overcame a first-set loss to put away Covenant College 3-1 in a non-conference match to open play at the Maryville College Invitational on Friday evening.

After dropping the first set 25-23, Averett (8-2) dominated Covenant (3-6) by scores of 25-18, 25-16 and 25-16.

In the first game, Covenant pulled in front 23-17 before Averett nearly rallied to steal it. The Cougars benefitted from a service error and three consecutive attack errors to get within 23-21. After giving up a point, Averett won the next two to close the gap to 24-23. Covenant, however, got a kill on the next play to clinch Set 1.

Averett methodically inched ahead in the second set before a kill by senior Sarah Smoot sealed it. Good starts in the third and fourth sets — including a 9-0 run to start the fourth game — helped the Cougars cruise past the Scots in the non-conference meeting between the two USA South Conference schools.

Smoot led Averett offensively with a team-high 16 kills while hitting .314 for the match. Senior Hannah Shields added a double-double of 12 kills and a team-high 26 digs. Senior Lynsey Corriher added eight kills.

Junior Emily Stanley chipped in 19 digs, junior Keenan Marks totaled 28 assists and 13 digs and freshman McKenzie Miller had 15 assists and a team-high three aces.

Averett continues play at the Maryville Invitational on Saturday against the College of Mount St. Joseph at 1:30 p.m. and host Maryville at 4 p.m.