Staunton, VA -In their first dual match of 2015, the Hollins volleyball team traveled to face Mary Baldwin College on Wednesday night.  After opening the season at the Averett Tournament, Hollins enjoyed a single match before heading across town to play in the Roanoke College Maroon Classic this weekend.

Having gone winless at Averett, Hollins looked to get into the win column against the Squirrels from the USA South.  It was the first of two matchups with Mary Baldwin this week, Hollins will once again play the Squirrels at the Maroon Classic.  Mary Baldwin jumped on the guests early and raced out to a three point lead.  The road team finally tied the match at 14-14 but once again Mary Baldwin forged ahead, 18-14.  After a Hollins timeout, the tide turned the way of the road team.  Hollins rattled off four straight points to tie the set, 18-18.  Hollins kept the momentum and scored seven of the final 11 points to win the opener, 25-21.

Fresh off their first set win of the season, Hollins continued to control play and enjoyed an early 8-3 advantage.  Hollins held the lead throughout the second set and appeared to have a 2-0 lead well in hand.  However a late Squirrels run made it interesting in the final points of the second frame.  With a one point lead, 24-23, Hollins head coach Kat Lawson called a timeout to try and slow down the Mary Baldwin run.  The strategy worked perfectly as Hollins won the next point to take a 2-0 lead.  Hollins started the third set looking for the sweep and got the start they were looking for.  Holins took the lead from the set's opening points and didn't let their hosts get closer than three points as the hungry Hollins squad picked up their first win of the season with a sweep of the Squirrels.

Rikki Martinez (Corpus Christi, TX) led the Hollins offense from her outside position with 14 kills and 11 digs.  Fellow outside hitter Haley Ortiz (Portsmouth, VA) added seven kills, four assists, and 13 digs while Lela Moore (Woodleaf, NC) and Deja Hadden (Norfolk, VA) each recorded four kills.  Moore handed out a team high 20 assists and Hadden added two blocks and two service aces.

Hollins will look to start a win streak when they open play at Roanoke College on Friday afternoon.  Hollins will face off with Ferrum College at 1:00pm before their rematch with Mary Baldwin at 5:00pm.