ALLIANCE, Ohio (Aug. 30) – The Denison University volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to Carnegie Mellon University in the 2024 season opener Friday afternoon at the Mount Union Invitational. 
 
The Big Red fell to the Tartans by set scores of 25-14, 26-24 and 25-19. 
 
Carnegie Mellon, who made it to the NCAA Tournament's Second Round last season, gained an early lead and pulled away throughout the first set for the 25-14 win. 
 
The Big Red had a chance to take the second set, as they forced a set point. After trailing by a 22-18 score, Denison ripped off six-straight points to take a 24-22 advantage behind three blocks by Katy McCaffrey. CMU responded with four-straight points to escape with the set win. 
 
Denison held a 13-10 lead in the third before CMU methodically pulled ahead. CMU had six of the final seven points to take the third by a 25-19 margin.
 
Sadie Habeeb recorded a game-high 20 digs in the setback. Claire Hamilton and Cailey Johns finished with six kills apiece.
 
McCaffrey tallied four total blocks in her Denison debut. 
 
Both teams finished with 51 digs. CMU finished with 38 kills to 28 by Denison. 
 
The Big Red return to action Saturday with a pair of matches at the Mount Union Invitational. Denison faces the host Purple Raiders at 10 a.m. The Big Red wraps up the weekend versus the University of Rochester at 2 p.m.