DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University volleyball swept Methodist University, but ended the Senior Night with a heartbreaking five-set loss to Pfeiffer University to split a USA South Conference tri-match on Friday at the Grant Center.
 
To open the day, Averett (10-3, 2-1 USA South) took down Methodist (8-7, 0-3 USA South) in three sets, winning 25-13, 25-20 and 25-18. The Cougars set the tone by hitting .323 in the first set to gain momentum. Junior Lauren Montren totaled 12 kills and nine digs to lead the Cougars, who also got nine kills and six blocks from sophomore Emma Nash and a team-high 13 digs from sophomore Erin Gray. Freshman setter Kinsley Stevens finished with 29 assists, while junior Morgan Barnes had four blocks and a team-best four service aces.

Averett opened its match with Pfeiffer (11-2, 3-0 USA South) with a 25-19 win in Set 1, but Pfeiffer answered with a 25-16 win in Set 2 to tie it up, 1-1. The Cougars rebounded with a 25-17 win in Set 3 to go in front. The Falcons, however, outlasted Averett 25-23 to force a fifth set, which Pfeiffer also won 19-17.

Senior Sarah Shropshire had 22 kills and 18 digs, Barnes had 14 kills and Montren had 11 kills for Averett, which also got 24 digs from Gray and 51 assists and 15 digs from Stevens. Freshman Carlie Deason chipped in 13 digs.

In the middle match, Pfeiffer dropped the first two sets before rallying to beat Methodist in five.

Prior to the final match of the night, Averett honored its four seniors — Shropshire, Devin Lassiter, Grey Capozzoli and Zamyiah Mangum.

Averett returns to action on Wednesday when the Cougars play host to conference newcomer Southern Virginia University at 7 p.m.