DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University volleyball split its two matches as part of a USA South Conference tri-match hosted by the Cougars on Friday at the Grant Center. Averett cruised past Pfeiffer University 3-0 earlier in the day, but lost 3-2 in a tight, five-set match to end the night on Homecoming Weekend.

Averett (7-8, 3-3 USA South) had little trouble with Pfeiffer (5-9, 1-4 USA South), beating the Falcons 25-13, 25-15, 25-15. As a team, the Cougars tallied a .337 hitting percentage for the match, including a .405 mark in the second set. Senior Jordan Pitzer had a team-high 10 kills with eight digs, while junior Madison Dadez had nine kills and sophomore McKenzie Miller had eight kills, 19 assists and five digs. Senior Emily Stanley paced Averett with 178 digs and sophomore Brooke Aaron finished with 11. Senior Keenan Marks had 14 assists and nine digs as well.

In the nightcap, Averett let the first set get away late against William Peace (10-4, 5-0 USA South). The Cougars were ahead 19-14 before the Pacers tied it 20-20. Averett had set point several times, ahead 24-22 before William Peace rallied to steal it 26-24.

The Cougars bounced back for a 25-19 win in the second frame and dominated the third set 25-11 to go ahead 2-1 in the match. Yet, the Pacers held the Cougars off 25-22 in the fourth set to send it to a deciding fifth frame. Averett lead 8-7 at the switch in the last game before William Peace answered with an 8-1 run to end it.

Four Cougars finished with double-digit kill totals, led by Miller's 14. Aaron had 13 and Pitzer and junior Abby Taylor each had 10 kills. Aaron and Stanley led the team with 20 digs each. Miller had a triple-double with her 14 kills, 15 digs and 28 assists. Pitzer added 13 digs and Marks had a double-double of 29 assists and 14 digs.

Averett hosts Greensboro College on Wednesday at 7 p.m. for its Dig Pink game to support cancer research and awareness.