STAUNTON, Va. - Mary Baldwin opened its volleyball season Thursday night at the PAC, falling in three tough sets to Bridgewater College in non-conference play.- 25-16, 25-15, 25-18.

The Fighting Squirrels stayed close early in the first set as two straight kills by Rachel Christian had the home team within two, 14-12. A kill by MBU freshman Leah Sherrill kept the margin at two points, 15-13, before the Eagles pulled away with eight unanswered points.

Bridgewater controlled play in the second set, jumping out to an early 7-1 lead on the way to a 25-15 win.

MBU led early in the third set as a kill and service ace by Sydney Clarke had the Squirrels out front 8-6. Another kill by Clarke pulled MBU even at 9-9 before the Eagles reeled off 10 straight points to pull away. 

Christian paced the MBU attack with nine kills and Clarke added six. A pair of first-year players had solid efforts as Emily Penny finished with 15 assists and Sherrill added eight digs.

The Eagles are back in action Saturday when they host Virginia Union and Ferrum in a tri-match.