SALEM, Va. — Averett University volleyball finished play at the Roanoke College Maroon Classic with a split on Saturday. The Cougars fell 3-2 to Bridgewater College but rebounded to beat Randolph College 3-1.

In its second match of the day, Averett (4-5) fell behind 1-0 after dropping the first set 25-17 to Randolph (1-7). The Cougars bounced back to win the next three sets 25-17, 25-21 and 25-20.

Freshman Sarah Shropshire netted a team-high 10 kills, while junior Madison Dadez had nine kills, five total blocks and three service aces to lead Averett in the win. Sophomore Brooke Aaron added eight kills, 10 digs and five service aces for the Cougars, who got a team-high 17 digs by senior Emily Stanley and 17 assists from senior Keenan Marks.

Averett suffered a tough five-set loss to open the day against Bridgewater (5-2). The Cougars took the first set 25-22 after finishing strong in the opening frame. The Eagles were within 20-19 until Averett took advantage of several errors and put down kills by Aaron and Marks.

Bridgewater controlled the next two sets, 25-14 and 25-15, to go ahead 2-1 in the match.

The Cougars battled back for a strong fourth set, going ahead 24-17. The Eagles made it close, winning the next seven points to tie it 24-24 before Averett held on 26-24 to force a deciding fifth set.

In the final frame, Bridgewater led 5-2 early. Averett matched the Eagles, 5-5, but Bridgewater won the next six points to take a commanding lead before ultimately winning 15-7.

Marks led Averett with 10 kills, 15 assists and seven digs. Dadez added nine kills with a .471 hitting percentage. Aaron and senior Jordan Pitzer each added eight kills, with Aaron totaling nine digs. Stanley led the Cougars with a team-high 20 digs. Sophomore McKenzie Miller finished with 16 assists.
 
Averett returns to action Friday in its Averett Invitational, beginning at 3 p.m. with Virginia Wesleyan University.