Roanoke, VA - Wednesday marked the opening of conference play for the Hollins volleyball team when they played host to, reigning ODAC Champion, Washington and Lee.  The  Generals were once again selected as the preseason favorite in the 2015 ODAC Volleyball Preseason Poll while Hollins came looking to get into the win column against a conference foe.

The home team started slowly and Washington and Lee took full advantage, racing out to an early lead, 11-1.  Once Hollins caught their breath, they played the Generals tough but despite playing the second part of the set to a 14-9 score, Hollins fell in the opener.  The second set started were the first left off with the visitors from Lexington slowly opening up an advantage.  Trailing 20-9, Hollins made a bit of a run by rattling off five straight points to make the score 20-14.  After a W&L point, Hollins got a quick stop and then first-year Jessica Bradbury (Chesterfield, VA) took the ball behind the service line.  Bradbury served Hollins to seven consecutive points, three via the service ace, to tie the score at 21-21.  The gym was electric as Bradbury looked to give Hollins their first lead of the evening, but it was the heavily favored Genearls that secured the point and the lead.  After another Washington and Lee point it seemed the set was over.  However, Hollins once again rallied and tied the score at 24 points apiece but they couldn't finish the comeback as the Generals scored two in a row to take the hard fought, second set, 26-24.  You could feel the air leave the building as W&L carried the momentum from the thrilling set win into the finale.  Hollins couldn't recapture magic as the visitors cruised to a third set win to sweep the home team in their conference debut.

Senior Rikki Martinez (Corpus Christi, TX) led the Hollins offense with six kills and seven digs.  Deja Hadden (Norfolk, VA) added five kills while setter Lela Moore (Woodleaf, NC) handed out a team high 125 assists to go with her two kills, four digs, and a service ace.

Washington and Lee enjoyed a 46-20 advantage in kills led by Mackenzie Shand (12) and Anna Lausberg (10).  Roanoke native Elena West recorded a match high 36 assists while first-year Meg Guigon registered eight kills and 14 digs.

Hollins will continue ODAC play this weekend when they travel to Guilford.  Holiins will face off with the Quakers at 1:00pm on Saturday afternoon.