DANVILLE --- The Roanoke College Volleyball team opened its season at the Averett Invitational this weekend. The women finished 1-3, defeating Peace before bowing to Southern Virginia, Averett and Greensboro.

In the season-opening match, the Maroons topped Peace in five sets (25-22, 22-25, 22-25, 25-20 and 15-13). The women prevailed by claiming the final two sets to win the programs' third-straight season-opener.

Averett Invitational All-Tournament selection, Kelsey Largen (Roanoke, VA, Cave Spring) led the way with 15 kills, followed by senior Rachel Hawkins (Winchester, VA, Millbrook) with 13 and sophomore Samantha Klostermann (Roanoke, VA, Hidden Valley) with 10. Junior setter Shannon Stone (Williamsburg, VA, Lafayette) had 42 assists as freshman Sarah Long totaled four blocks for the Maroons.

The women fell to new Div. III member Southern Virginia in four sets (25-19, 20-25, 18-25, 18-25) in the nightcap of the first night of action. Stone led RC with 23 assists while Largen had a team-best 10 kills. Klostermann and Long each had eight kills for the match.

Tournament-host Averett swept Roanoke (23-25, 16-25, 21-25) in the morning contest Saturday. Klostermann led RC with eight kills, while Largen contributed five kills and seven digs. Stone added 18 assists.

In the final match of the tournament, Greensboro topped the Maroons in five sets (23-25, 23-25, 25-13, 25-23, 13-15). Largen once again led the Maroons with 13 kills and 10 digs, followed by Hawkins and Long with eight kills each. Stone total 29 assists. Leah Horan (Richmond, VA, Freeman) added nine digs.

The Maroons will travel to North Carolina next weekend to compete in the Greensboro Invitational, Sept. 9-10.