The Denison volleyball team suffered a 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-9) loss to Mt. Vernon Nazarene University on Tuesday evening in Granville.

After dropping the opening game by a slim 25-21 margin, the Big Red jumped out to a 7-3 lead in game two.  The Cougars clawed their way back and eventually retook the lead, 16-14.  After a power struggle for points, Nazarene was able to pull away in the later stages to take a 2-0 lead.  In the final set, the NAIA foe turned up the heat as the knocked off DU in straight sets.

Sophomore outside hitter Lauren Strowder (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights) paced the Denison attack with a team-best 14 kills, and classmate Claire Koneval (Solon, Ohio/Solon) dished off 30 assists.  Defensively, senior Holly Leonard (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township) recorded 15 digs, while sophomore Megan Early (Findlay, Ohio/Van Buren) blocked three shots.

The Big Red (1-9) return to the court on Friday (Sept. 18) when they take part in the Cardinal Volleyball Classic hosted by Otterbein College.  DU opens up the tournament against Columbus State at 4 p.m.