NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Averett University volleyball team split the first day of the Christopher Newport University Invitational Friday. The Cougars knocked off Virginia Wesleyan University 3-1 in the second game after falling 3-0 to No. 20 Berry College to open the evening. 
 
Averett (15-13) defeated Virginia Wesleyan (15-10) 25-23, 23-25, 27-25 and 25-21. Sophomore McKenzie Miller totaled a triple-double for the match ending with 17 kills, 23 assists and 12 digs while hitting .371. Freshman Zamyiah Mangum added 12 kills and 16 digs, sophomore Brooke Aaron finished with a team-high 17 digs while adding nine kills. Senior Keenan Marks contributed a team leading 26 assists, adding nine kills and 16 digs. While junior Madison Dadez found the floor for six kills, hitting .400 for the Cougars and finishing with a team-high five block assists. 
 
The Cougars were coming off a three set loss to Berry (20-3), which won 19-25, 8-25, 12-25. Aaron led the way for the Cougars with four kills and 13 kills, while senior Jordan Pitzer and Dadez added three kills apiece
 
Averett closes out the Christopher Newport University Invitational tomorrow as 12 p.m. as they face off with host No. 23 Christopher Newport University.