ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The Mary Baldwin volleyball team dropped a pair of conference matches Saturday, losing to Methodist and N.C. Wesleyan.

In their first match, MBU lost in three tough sets to Methodist, losing each set by the same 25-20 score.

In the first set, the Fighting Squirrels trailed 21-13 before strorming back with seven straight points to trail by just one. Sydney Clarke served four aces and Racehel Christian added two kills to pull MBU to within 21-20. The Monarchs then scored the final four points to win the first set.

MBU jumped out two a qucik 5-1 lead in the second set behind a kill from Alexis Edmonds and two service aces from Christian. Methodist took the lead at 12-11 before a kill by Christian tied the score at 12-12. Methodist scored the next six points to lead 18-12 , but the Squirrels once again rallied, this time with five straight points to trim he lead to one. A kill and an ace by Emily Link plus a kill by Clarke fueled the comeback. A kill by Christian kept MBU close, trailing 22-20, but the Monarchs rattled off the next three points to win the second set.

MAry Baldwin took a 14-13 lead in the htird set on an ace by Link and the score was tied four more times, the final time at 19-19 on a kill by Hannah Myers. Methodist took a 22-19 lead before a kill by Christian puled MBU to within 22-20, but Methodist scored three straight points to close out the match.

Christian paced the Squirrels with nine kills. Link had 18 assists and Soleil Rios Rolon added 16 digs.

In the second contest, N.C. Wesleyan swept the Squirrels 25-16. 25-13, 25-17.

Megan Andrews led MBU with seven kills. Link posted 11 assists and Christian had six digs.

Mary Baldwin is back in aciton on Wednesdsay when the Squirrels host Southern Virginia.