DELAWARE, Ohio - The Adrian College women's volleyball team lost two close matches 3-2 on day one of the Bishop Invitational hosted by Ohio Wesleyan University. The Bulldogs trailed Case Western Reserve 2-0 in game one before rallying back to force the fifth set that Case Western would take to seal the victory (17-25-23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 9-15). Game two saw the Bulldogs up 2-0 on Muskingum before the Muskies rallied back to force the fifth set that Adrian would lose by two points (25-22, 26-24, 18-25, 21-25, 13-15).

Game 1: Adrian vs. Case Western Reserve

THE BASICS

Final Score: Adrian 2, Case Western Reserve 3 (17-25, 23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 9-15)

Location: Delaware, Ohio (Branch Rickey Arena)

Records: Adrian (5-3), Case Western Reserve (9-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Case Western jumped out to a 2-0 lead winning the first two sets 25-17 and 25-23. The Bulldogs hit .158 and .064 in the first two sets.

• Improved hitting (.270 & .237) helped Adrian win the next two sets, 25-23 and 25-22, to force the decisive fifth set.

• The Spartans would recover by winning the last set, 15-9, to seal their victory.

TOP DOGS

• Olivia Welch and Margo Joubran both recorded double-doubles for the match. Welch recorded 14 kills and 18 digs. Joubran tallied 14 kills and 15 digs.

• Marisa Dion paced the Bulldog offense with 44 assists.

• Haley Mellon led the Adrian defense with 30 digs.

• Jenai White and Casadine Reed anchored the Bulldog front line recording 12 and 11 block assists. Reed also had two solo blocks.

Game 2: Adrian vs. Muskingum

THE BASICS

Final Score: Adrian 2, Muskingum 3 (25-22, 26-24, 18-25, 21-25, 13-15)

Location: Delaware, Ohio (Branch Rickey Arena)

Records: Adrian (5-4), Muskingum (8-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Adrian jumped to a 2-0 lead winning 25-22 and 26-24 off hitting percentages of .216 and .302.

• Muskingum would rally, winning the next two sets 18-25 and 25-21 to force the Bulldog's into their second deciding set of the day.

• The Muskies would survive the fifth set, winning 15-13 to give Adrian its second loss of the day.

TOP DOGS

• Sydney Martines (10 kills) and Joubran (12 kills) led the Bulldog offense.

• Dion tallied 39 assists in the match.

• Mellon led the defense again with 25 digs.

• White and Martines led with six blocks assists.

UP NEXT

• Adrian plays Denison tomorrow (Sept. 17) at 12:00 p.m., followed by the Bishop Invitational host Ohio Wesleyan at 4:00 p.m.