Glenside, Pa. – After splitting the opening two sets of tonight's match with Arcadia, the Bryn Mawr volleyball team put in a strong effort to win the third set 26-24 and pull out to a 2-1 lead in the match. Unfortunately, the Knights would storm back to win the whole thing in a dramatic five-set contest, protecting home court and sending the Owls home with their first loss of this young season. Danielle Preziuso tallied 38 assists on the evening while Rachel Ofili led the way with 18 kills in a losing effort.

The Owls (2-1) came into tonight's match after sweeping both games in last Saturday's tri-match at Penn State Brandywine by 3-0 scores, and were looking to keep their win streak rolling against some tough competition in Arcadia. The Knights (2-0) were coming off a 3-0 win over Rosemont themselves, so both sides were riding some early momentum into their first match of September. Bryn Mawr took the first set after jumping out to a quick lead and closing out the frame thanks to some key errors by Knights attackers. The Owls then took a late lead into the second set as well, going up 22-20 thanks to another Arcadia setting error. However, the Knights regained their composure and won the final five points of the set to even up the scoreline at 1-1.

The Yellow and White once again built up a large lead in the third set. At one point, Bryn Mawr won nine uninterrupted points, going from a 4-7 deficit to a 13-7 lead in the game. However, Arcadia once again came all the way back and it appeared as if they may steal another set from under the Owls' noses. Instead, Bryn Mawr buckled down, playing solid and forcing the hosts into more errors. Noemi Moreno pushed the Owls ahead 25-24 with a service ace, and a bad set by the Knights handed the Owls a big 26-24 win of the third set.

Unfortunately, Bryn Mawr simply was unable to close out the match. Arcadia ran away with the fourth set thanks to eight Owls errors. The match came down to a decisive fifth set, and once again Bryn Mawr jumped ahead early in a frame. Kills by Ofili, Caroline Cosby, and Moreno put the Owls ahead by a score of 11-8 in the middle of the set. Arcadia rallied back to take a 13-11 lead themselves. The Owls managed to tie things back up at 13-13 after head coach Nicole Reiley used a timeout in an effort to spur Bryn Mawr back into the set. However, the Knights closed out the match by winning the final two points, both on attack errors by Bryn Mawr, to win the deciding set 15-13 and earn the 3-2 win.

With the loss, Bryn Mawr slips to 2-1 on the young 2014 campaign. Preziuso's 38 assists in this match are tied for the seventh most in a five set match in Bryn Mawr volleyball history. The senior setter also put up 38 helpers against Ursinus in a five-setter two years ago. The Owls will have a quick turnaround and an opportunity to come back strong this weekend as the team hosts their 2014 Bryn Mawr Tri-Match. The Owls play host to Delaware Valley and Bryn Athyn in the Schwartz Athletic Center, with the Bryn Mawr – Del Val match opening the festivities at 11:00 AM.