Memphis, Tenn. – The SBU Volleyball team opened their fall 2021 season on the road at the CBU Invitational hosted by Christian Brothers University. SBU swept the first match of the day, 3-0 against Christian Brothers and won a hard fought match 3-2 against Southern Arkansas to start the year 2-0 (0-0 GLVC).
 
Match One
SBU fell behind 3-1 in the first set of the day, but won 8 straight points to take a commanding 9-3 lead. They led 22-9 at one point and ended up winning the set 25-16. The second set was much more back and forth, but SBU came out on top 25-21. The third set was controlled by the Bearcats, winning 25-11 for the 3-0 sweep. Ashley Lasher (12) and Rachel Francis (11) hit double digits in the kills category, Loran Pritchett had 28 assists in the match, and Sydney Ernsbarger led the team with 4 blocks.
 
Match Two
Despite scoring the first point of the set, SBU found themselves behind early on and couldn't catch up, dropping the first set 25-19. The Bearcats were down 21-20 in the second set when they won the final 5 points to even the match at 1-1. Southern Arkansas bounced back in the third set, taking it 25-21 and a 2-1 set lead. SBU played strong in the fourth set, 25-19, forcing a deciding fifth set. SBU scored the first couple of points and found themselves ahead 8-4. Julia Becker set up Sydney Ernsbarger for the final kill of the match, taking set five 15-8. Loran Pritchett finished the match with a double-double, recording 29 assists and 10 digs. Sydney Ernsbarger (12) and Ashley Lasher (11) had double digit kills. Ernsbarger also led both teams with 8 blocks.
 
The team continues play at the CBU Invitational on Saturday, taking on the University of Charleston at 9:00 AM and Kentucky Wesleyan at 4:30 PM.