The Denison volleyball team split their final two matches at the River City Tournament hosted by Marietta College.  The Big Red dropped a 3-1 (25-21, 25-18, 23-25, 25-11) decision to Bethany, but rebounded in the nightcap with a 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-10) win over LaGrange.

Against the Bison, first-year Lauren Gustafson (Los Angeles, Calif./Palisades Charter) paced the Denison offense with 11 kills.  Junior Megan Early (Findlay, Ohio/Van Buren) blocked four shots, and senior Lauren Weidner (Barrington, Ill./Barrington) notched 14 digs.  Junior setter Claire Koneval (Solon, Ohio/Solon) also recorded 35 assists.

In the victory over the Panthers, junior Lauren Strowder (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights) had a team-best 13 kills, while Koneval dished off 36 assists.  Defensively, Early blocked four more shots, and Brooke Beavers (Sylvania, Ohio/St. Ursula Academy) had 10 digs.

Denison now sits at 1-4 on the season.  The Big Red opening play at Livingston Gymnasium on Tuesday (Sept. 6) when they welcome the 10th-ranked Polar Bears of Ohio Northern University to Granville.  Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m.