District of Columbia Volleyball Drops Season Opener to Belmont Abbey

WASHINGTON, DC  –  The University of the District of Columbia, playing without a libero, suffered a 3-0 setback in its 2012 season opener against Belmont Abbey this afternoon in day one of the Firebird Volleyball Classic. The Firebirds 1p.m. scheduled match versus Virginia State was cancelled.

The Firebirds (0-1), who were without both of their liberos, veteran Grace Perilli (Nashville, TN – Independence HS) and newcomer Sara Stuart (Turlock, CA – John H. Pitman HS) due to injuries, fell in straight sets by scores of 25-11, 26-24 and 25-14.

Julia Lynch (Spring Creek, NV - Spring Creek HS) led the Firebirds with an impressive all-around performance in her District of Columbia debut which included nine kills, 12 digs and three service aces – all team-highs. Lynch, who also had three blocks (one solo), combined with Vanessa Garley (Rio Rancho, NM – Rio Rancho HS) and Tara Usko (Spring Creek, NV – Spring Creek HS) for 10 of the team's 14 blocks. Kamene Rose (Chula Vista, CA – Hilltop HS) orchestrated the Firebird attack with 21 assists while also pitching in with seven digs.

Meanwhile, the Crusaders were led by the three Schellenberg sisters, Hannah, Lydia and Kay. Hannah hit a scorching .407 pct. en-route to a match-high 14 kills, Lydia added nine kills and nine digs, and Kay handed out 33 assists to go with eight digs, three kills and three blocks. Angela Jubb and Remick Tiller led Belmont Abbey's defensive efforts with 13 and 10 digs, respectively.

The first set featured a back-and-forth affair in the early-going, but Abbey broke a 3-3 deadlock with a 6-0 run, helped by two Tiller service aces. Two Jazmin Rogers (Tucson, AZ – Palo Verde HS) kills and a Crusader ball-handling error brought the Firebirds within three, 9-6, but it was all Belmont Abbey after that. The Crusaders ran away with the first set, 25-11.

With momentum on its side after the convincing first set win, Belmont Abbey raced to a 4-0 lead on the service of Kay Schellenberg, but the Firebirds came storming back to score four of the next five points and pull within, 5-4. The Crusaders answered with another 4-0 run though, and pushed back in front 9-5. Trailing 16-11, the Firebirds used a 7-2 rally to tie the score at 18-apiece on a service ace by Garley. District of Columbia never led in the set but forced four more ties before bowing out, 26-24.

The Firebirds forced five ties in the early-going of the third set, but the Crusaders pulled away from an 8-8 deadlock with a 10-2 run and cruised to a 25-14 set victory to claim the match victory.

In other Firebird Volleyball Classic action today at UDC Gym, Elizabeth City State defeated Goldey-Beacom College, 3-1 and Belmont Abbey defeated Bowie State, 3-0. The Firebirds return to action tomorrow at 12 p.m. to take on ECSU and then play in the nightcap vs. Bowie State at 6 p.m.