ASHLAND, Va. — The Averett University volleyball team opened play at the Randolph-Macon College Invitational with a 3-0 loss to Marymount University and a 3-1 loss to Salisbury University on Friday evening.

The Cougars opened with a thrilling first set against Marymount (1-4) that went to extra points. Each team led at points throughout the game, and kills by sophomore Zamyiah Mangum knotted the score twice late, including 25-25. However, the Saints got to consecutive kills to edge the Cougars 27-25.

Marymount, which dropped its first three matches of the season to top 25 competition, ran away with the second set, 25-9. However, Averett (0-5) battled back in the third set to challenge Marymount late into the game. The Cougars were within Marymount 22-19 until the Saints took advantage of a service error and three consecutive kills by Elissa Munsterman to seal the match.

Mangum led Averett with a double-double of 15 kills and 12 digs, along with two service aces. Freshman Lauren Montren added six kills and six digs, while junior McKenzie Miller totaled 28 assists.

Averett finished play Friday night against Salisbury (5-0). The Cougars upended the Sea Gulls 25-20 in the first set thanks to a solid start in which Averett raced out to an 8-3 advantage. The Cougars continued to find success while also taking advantage of Salisbury's errors en route to a Set 1 victory.

Salisbury, however, bounced back to take Set 2 over the Cougars, 25-10. The third game was another close matchup that had Averett within 20-19 of the Sea Gulls late. Yet, Salisbury pulled it out 25-20 to go up 2-1 in the match.

Salisbury clinched the match with a 25-16 win in the fourth set.

Montren and Mangum each led Averett with nine kills against Salisbury. Mangum also had a team-high 14 digs, followed by Montren's 12 kills. Senior Madison Dadez added nine digs and Miller had 27 assists.

Averett finishes play in the Randolph-Macon Invitational on Saturday with a 10 a.m. matchup against Susquehanna University and a 2 p.m. meeting with host Randolph-Macon.