SHEPHERDSTOWN, W. Va. -- Barry University's volleyball team concluded its season-opening two-day stay at the Hampton Inn Ram Rumble hosted by Shepherd University Saturday by splitting a pair of matches.
The Buccaneers swept Pace University before dropping their first match of the year to Lock Haven, a seven-time NCAA Division II Elite Eight finalist and 15-time national tournament qualifier. Barry (3-1) defeated Pace, 26-24, 25-18, 25-21, in Saturday morning's match. The Bucs fell to Lock Haven, which went 4-0 in the tournament, 23-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-22.
In the first match Saturday, it was the Bucs' middle blockers who did the damage.
Barry sophomore middle blocker Laine Cielena banged 12 kills, served four aces and had one block in the win over the Setters (1-2). Sophomore middle blocker Katie Dooley and freshman middle blocker Ivana Didanovic each had five kills. Dooley hit .300, and Didanovic .400. Cielena hit .296, committing four errors in 27 attempts. Dooley and Didanovic each had 10 swings.
Didanovic had six blocks, including two solos, and Dooley had one block assist. The Bucs outblocked the Setters, 10-7.
Barry sophomore setter Jasmine Serna had 19 assists, and senior outside hitter Ashley Carrero had 11 of the Buccaneers' 35 digs.
The Buccaneers had a .125 attack percentage, while Pace hit .118. Ashley DiFulvio had eight kills, and Samantha Harting had six for the Setters. Pace setter Miki Carver had 21 of her team's 23 assists.
Against Lock Haven, the Bucs won the first set before dropping three straight to shoulder their first loss of the year.
Carrero had 12 kills, and had a .286 attack percentage. Cielena had nine kills, nine digs and three aces, Didanovic had seven kills and three blocks. Freshman outside hitter Eva Raat had six kills, four blocks and two of Barry's nine aces. Freshman setter Jenny Trinidad had 32 assists.
The Buccaneers hit .133. Lock Haven attacked at a .212 clip. Megan Flick had 15 kills, and Cody Anderson 11 for the Eagles. Jessica Brown had 35 assists.
Barry will compete at the Eckerd College Classic next weekend in St. Petersburg, Fla.