BENNINGTON, Vt.—The Norwich University volleyball team overcame an early 2-0 deficit to force a five-game match but dropped the final set 15-9 to fall to the Mountaineers of Southern Vermont College by a score of 3-2 on Friday evening in non-conference action. The game marked the season opener for both teams.

After edging the Cadets by a score of 25-23 in game one, the Mountaineers took the 2-0 lead by downing Norwich 25-17 in game two.

In the third set, the Cadets held the advantage from the first point and did not relinquish the lead in the 25-17 win. In the fourth set, the Cadets trailed early but took control of the score at 8-7, and fought off a Mountaineers' rally at 14-14 to hold on for the 25-21 win to force game five.

Southern Vermont had their sights on the victory in game five as they scored first and dominated play in route to the 15-9 victory.

Leading the way for the Cadets was sophomore Tara Lyons (Pocasett, Mass.), who totaled 11 kills and recorded just four errors to total a .223 hitting percentage.  Classmate Angie Hershberger (Felton, Calif.) totaled nine kills and 13 digs in her first appearance for Norwich.

Junior setter Corinne Baita (Rochester, N.H.) dished out a team-high 14 assists, while freshman Alex Ruediger (Sandy Lake, Pa.) led the Norwich defense with a team-high 21 digs. Junior Alex Palmer (South Windsor, Conn.) added 18 digs.

Southern Vermont was led both offensively and defensively by Marrissa Flores with 24 kills and 26 digs. Sheilani Kaleopa dished out 21 assists for the Mountaineers, while Carrie Baltazar added 19 assists. Marrissa Flores also notched a double-double for Southern Vermont, churning out 16 kills and 17 assists on the evening.

The match was nearly even on the offensive end as the Cadets totaled an attack percentage of .082, while the Mountaineers slightly bested that with a .090 attack percentage.

Norwich returns to action next Friday, Sept. 6 at the Victory Promotions Invitational hosted by Potsdam State. The Cadets will take on the hosts at 4:00 p.m. and will rematch the Mountaineers at 6:00 p.m. Norwich will also take on No. 23 Clarkson and SUNY Canton on day two of action in the tournament on Saturday at 11:00 am and 1:00 p.m.