ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — Averett University volleyball lost a pair of matches as part of a tri-match on Friday. The Cougars fell 3-2 in a tight five-set conference matchup with host N.C. Wesleyan College, then lost 3-1 to William Peace University in a non-conference match.

In the opener, Averett (8-6, 4-1 USA South), dropped a heartbreaker in five sets, falling 19-17 in the final frame. The Cougars took Set 1 over the Bishops 25-20 after rallying from an early hole. Averett, which had to do the same in each set, couldn't finish off N.C. Wesleyan in the next two sets, falling 25-23 and 30-28. Averett won the fourth game 26-24 to force the deciding fifth set.

Sophomore Morgan Barnes and junior Zamyiah Mangum led the Cougars with 17 kills each against N.C. Wesleyan. Mangum also had 24 digs for a double-double. Senior McKenzie Miller finished with a career-high 62 assists to go with 16 digs. Sophomore Lauren Montren added 15 kills with 12 digs and freshman Erin Gray had a team-best 25 digs.

Averett also took the opening set against William Peace, winning 25-21. However, the Pacers took the next three sets 25-20, 25-23 and 25-20.

Freshman Lanie Ouzts and junior Sarah Shropshire each had 11 kills, with freshman Emma Nash contributing 10 kills and sophomore Jessica Beam totaling nine kills. Gray had a team-high 21 digs, with Miller finishing with 46 assists and 11 digs and Ouzts adding 10 digs.

Averett returns to action on Tuesday against Mary Baldwin University at home.