BALTIMORE, Md. – The Neumann University split at a tri-match in Baltimore on Saturday afternoon. The Knights battled but fell to Widener 3-2 before defeating host Goucher 3-0.
 
In the first match of the day for Neumann, the team battled in a five-setter with Widener. Lauren Garvey tallied 19 kills and Regan Hickey notched 16. Dani Smith handed out 43 assists. Claudia Bournazel finished with 26 digs. Garvey added 23, Hickey 14 and Emma Dobberstein 11. Dobberstein also had four service aces.
 
The Knights started out on fire, scoring nine of the first 10 points. The Pride pulled within four, 16-12, but a kill by Jules Dill gave Neumann a 25-18 first set win. Widener took a 19-13 advantage in the second set. Six straight points by the Knights pulled them within one, 22-21. The Pride were able to get the next three points for a 25-21 set two win and pull the match even at one.
 
In set three, Widener took a 13-12 lead and scored nine of the next 10 points for a 22-13. The Pride took set three 25-16. Widener built a 13-7 lead in set four. After pulling to within three, 17-14, the Knights scored six straight points to take a 20-17 edge. Knotted at 23, kills by Garvey and Hickey gave Neumann the 25-23 win and forced a fifth set.
 
Widner was able to score seven straight points and take a 13-5 lead in the final set. At match point, the Knights scored four straight points, but could not get anymore and the Pride won the deciding set 15-10.
 
Neumann rebounded with a 3-0 win over Goucher. Set scores were 25-14, 25-19 and 26-24. Garvey had 13 kills. Smith dished out 28 assists. Hickey tallied 25 digs and Bournazel added 19.
 
The Knights cruised in the first two sets. The Gophers kept it close in the third set. With Neumann leading 13-8, the Gophers chipped their way back in and tied the set at 22. It took a few extra points but kills by Garvey and Hickey gave the Knights the 26-24 set three win and 3-0 match win.
 
Neumann (9-6) heads to Alvernia on Thursday evening for a non-conference match beginning at 7:00 PM.