Montreat College volleyball is a sport on the rise, as Head Coach Christine Mooberry works to further develop a program that compiled a school-best 26 wins last season and returns a team which combines upperclassmen with match experience with a cast of young players who need to mesh as a team. There's great potential on this energetic, athletic squad.

So it was disappointing to begin the 2010 season with a defeat, as Montreat dropped a 5-game decision to Southern Wesleyan University on Saturday, August 28 in McAlister Gymnasium. And it was particularly deflating that the Cavs captured the first two games of the match before the Warriors won 23-25, 25-27, 25-6, 25-17, 15-9. 

Mooberry noted the strong play of some of her leaders, including Allison Baumgartner from Charlotte, NC, the lone senior on the team, who recorded 7 kills and 3 solo blocks. Junior middle blocker Anna Stephenson posted 9 kills while freshman Bethany Hirz led in serve receive passes with 25. Freshman setter Melissa Mueller from Arnold, Missouri and New York native Ellen Goodman each produced 4 service aces.

Mooberry noted that her young team is still learning to play as a unit. "When we got behind in the third set, we lacked confidence to come back and win. To their credit, Southern Wesleyan never gave up after losing two tough games, and they played a strong match."

"It was disappointing to lose the opener, but I'm confident this will be a good learning opportunity for us," Mooberry concluded.

The Cavaliers welcome Limestone College to McAlister Gym on Tuesday, August 31 for their next match.