ATLANTA, Ga. -- The Covenant volleyball team lost its first match of the season Saturday morning to Williamette, 3-1. The loss comes in the second out of three matches the Scots are to play at the Emory Classic.

Covenant was able to win a close first set over the Bearcats, 26-24. After a back-and-forth set, the teams found themselves tied 23-23 when Rachel Bartlett connected on a kill to give the Scots set point at 24-23. 

Soon after, Williamette would tie it up at 24 with a kill from Natalie Klotz. But, two Bearcat errors in a row would end up sealing the first set victory for the Scots (26-24).

Williamette would go on to blast Covenant in the second set, winning with a score of 25-7. During the set, the Bearcats recorded 13 kills and a .423 hitting percentage. 

The third and fourth sets saw similar back-and-forth action to that had occurred in the first set, but the Scots were not able to close the gap. Williamette took set three, 25-21, and set four, 25-19. Covenant did string together a run of five straight points late in the fourth set to come within three of the Bearcats; but, it ultimately was not enough as Williamette gained the 3-1 victory.

For the Scots, Summer Johnson connected on 10 kills and four digs. Riley Howe tallied nine kills and seven digs. Kyla Bailey also added nine kills, while Anna Baldwin posted 15 digs. Bartlett had seven kills, 27 assists, 10 digs, and four blocks.

Klotz led the Bearcats with 17 kills, while Shyla Sato recorded 23 digs. 

TheScots fall to 2-1, while the win improves Williamette to 2-2.

UP NEXT

Covenant will play again today at 3 p.m. against Emory.

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