HAVERFORD, Pa. ­­– Senior outside hitter Taylor McInerney led the Lebanon Valley College volleyball team with a total of 35 kills in the programs first two matches of the year, on the first day of the Haverford Invitational at Calvin Gooding '84 Arena. The Flying Dutchmen faced off against the United States Coast Guard Academy and Augsburg University, dropping both matches 3–0.  

Match 1 vs. United States Coast Guard Academy
Lebanon Valley (0-1) battled in a close match with the Coast Guard Academy (1-0) in its first contest of the season, dropping three competitive sets by the scores of 31–29, 25–15 and 25–22. McInerney helped lead the charge offensively, recording 27 kills. 

The teams traded the lead multiple times during the first set, with each program going on runs to swap the advantage. LVC took the lead late, as consecutive kills by junior setter Robyn Stepler and McInerney put the squad up 29–28. The Bears would go on to record three straight points to end the set. 

Lebanon Valley posted a strong effort in the third set, competing until the very end after facing an early 8–3 deficit. The team trimmed the Coast Guard Academy's lead to just two points after registering four consecutive kills to make it a 19–17 contest. During this run, sophomore middle hitter Margaret Cole tallied two kills, along with one by McInerney. The Bears ultimately preserved their lead through the set. 

Inside the Box Score:

• Lebanon Valley combined for 42 kills.
• The Flying Dutchmen recorded a total of 49 digs during the match. 
• McInerney led Lebanon Valley with 27 kills and tied for the lead in blocks, with two.
• Junior setter Robyn Stepler led the team with 35 assists.
• Senior libero Kasey Thomas led LVC with 17 digs. 

Match 2 vs. Augsburg University
Lebanon Valley (0-2) competed until the final set, but ultimately fell 25–15, 25–10 and 25–19 to Augsburg (2-0). McInerney also led the Dutchmen in kills during the second match, recording eight. LVC delivered a solid defensive effort, tallying a total of six blocks and 31 digs. 

The Flying Dutchmen battled throughout the first set, putting together both four-point and five-point runs. Sophomore outside hitter Mattea Penner recorded a pair of kills during the team's five-point stretch. First-year middle blocker Teaguen Reynolds contributed to the four-point run with a kill. After this stretch, the Auggies recorded a point to secure the set. 

LVC delivered another competitive performance in set three, as it followed its pattern of creating runs to get back into the match. The program had three stretches of three straight points or more during the final set. Penner registered a pair of consecutive kills late in the set to narrow Augsburg's lead. Ultimately, the Auggies would go on to later close out the set. 

Inside the Box Score:

• Lebanon Valley out-blocked Augsburg six to four. 
• Reynolds led the Flying Dutchmen with four blocks. 
• McInerney and Thomas both tallied two aces. 
• Stepler led the team with 20 assists. 

Up Next
Lebanon Valley will begin its second day of the invitational at 1 p.m. Saturday, as the team will take on Stockton University. The Flying Dutchmen will then take the court at 3 p.m. to face off against Haverford College. 

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