DANVILLE, Va. -- After one of the most decisive victories of the season, the Virginia Wesleyan College volleyball team played one of its most thrilling matches of the season.

The Marlins opened a tri-match Saturday at Averett University with a 3-0 win over Ferrum College, defeating the Panthers 25-6, 25-7, 25-10. VWC closed the day against the host Cougars of Averett and put up some impressive numbers, but fell 3-1 in the non-conference contest.  Averett won 25-23, 19-25, 25-20, 25-23 in a match that included 34 tie scores and 15 lead changes.

Saturday's competition closed the regular season for Virginia Wesleyan, which takes a 16-13 record into the upcoming Old Dominion Athletic Conference tournament.  The Marlins are the No. 4 seed in the tourney and will host the Maroons of Roanoke College on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at the Jane P. Batten Student Center. Time will be announced.

VWC enjoyed a productive showing against Averett (25-8), as the Marlins posted an advantage in kills (55-53), assists (51-47), and block assists (16-10).  Rookie Tiffany Barrett (Stafford/North Stafford) and senior Tempe Martens (Severna Park, Md./Severna Park)led the Marlins with 15 and 14 kills, respectively. Amberlyn Daglian (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown) led VWC with 24 assists, followed by Kristin Sessoms (Virginia Beach/Bayside) with 22.  Martens recorded a team-leading 16 digs for the Marlins and rookie Madelyn McMurray (Springfield/West Springfield) recorded a match-high four block assists.

Allison Sparks led Averett with 23 kills, Nicole Barringer produced 41 assists, and Katelyn Holley posted 24 digs.

Virginia Wesleyan recorded a 39-11 advantage in kills against Ferrum, led by Alex Lambert (Alexandria/Hayfield) and Barrett with 10 each. Sessoms led VWC with 24 assists and Martens recorded 12 digs.

--AMDG--