Valdosta, Ga. – The Lynn University volleyball team opened up the 2014 campaign on Friday with a pair of contests in Valdosta, Ga., defeating Albany State 3-0 (25-9, 25-21, 25-14) before dropping a tough bout with Valdosta State 3-1 (25-17, 25-16, 13-25, 27-25). Lynn returns to Boca Raton with a 1-1 record overall.

Senior Elyse Fleck began her senior campaign with a career-high 26 kills on the day while Marissa Tandron started her second season with a combined 73 assists. On the defensive side, Nikki Haben provided 17 digs in the games. Liga Strautniece was consistent all over the court with 15 kills, 11 digs and two assisted blocks.

Lynn had two players making their first appearances with big contributions as Lydia West made her much-anticipated debut with a final stat line of 14 kills, two solo blocks and seven assisted blocks. Freshman Ashlan Kelly played in both games and finished with nine digs and a team-high five service aces.  

The Fighting Knights started the 2014 campaign strong, combining for a .355 hitting percentage to take set one against Albany State by a score of 25-9. Lynn opened the match on a 5-0 run, with Fleck providing two-straight kills. Defensively the Blue & White held the Golden Rams to just four kills, their lowest of the day. Fleck finished set one with six kills on a .667 clip. Tandron went for 11 assists while she and Haben each had three digs. 

Set two began with a 6-1 run for Albany State and the Rams held the lead until a Tandron Ace put Lynn up 12-11. The set remained close until the Fighting Knights went on a 4-1 run, fueled by Claire Angelich's three kills in the span , to get to the finish line with a 25-21 victory. Offensively Lynn was balanced in the second frame with four different players recording three kills. Tandron and Haben both posted game-highs with 13 assists and five digs.

In the finale Lynn started off trailing, but used a 10-1 run to take control of the set at 12-6. For the second-straight game, the defense held Albany State to a zero hitting percentage. Fleck continued her offensive performance with four kills, leading an offensive that hit .370 in the match clincher. 

After the first contest Fleck had 13 kills to lead the team followed by West, who made her debut after sitting out her first two years, with seven while also leading the team with three blocks. Tandron finished the opener with 30 assists, seven digs and two blocks.   As a unit Lynn had nine service aces with Lizzy Raffa, Liga Strutniece and freshman Ashlan Kelly all providing two. 

In the nightcap versus host Valdosta State the Blazers scored the opening point and never looked back. Lynn was able to keep it close until a pair of 4-0 runs gave Valdosta set one with a 25-17 score. The second set was not much better for the Fighting Knights as they fell 25-16 to be put on the brink of a loss. Lynn led for the early part of the set but with the score tied 11-11 Valdosta went on a 5-1 to take the lead.

Set three brought with it a different Lynn team, hitting a season-high .560 clip. West led the early charge with a pair of assisted blocks to put the Blue & White up 2-0. The Fighting Knights never trailed in the set. Fleck had a team-high six kills in the win while Tandron posted 14 assists. Strautniece had a team-high three digs in the set.

Valdosta State started the final set with a 13-4 run.  Lynn countered with a 6-1 run of its own to close the gap to 14-10 only to see the Blazers rattle off eight of the next 10 points.  A 10-0 run, though, gave Lynn a chance to send the match into a deciding fifth set.  Five attack errors and three aces put the Fighting Knights ahead 25-24.  But VSU was able to score three points to end the match.

Lynn returns to action on Thursday, September 11, at 7 p.m. when it hosts Clark-Atlanta in the first game of the Courtyard by Marriott Classic.  Fans can watch the action live at LynnFightingKnights.com and receive in-game updates by following @Lynn_Knights on Twitter and Instagram.