HIRAM, Ohio -- The Washington & Jefferson volleyball team split its action on its final day at the Hiram College Invitational, topping Albion by a 3-2 final score to close out the event on Saturday, Sept. 15.

The first match of the day saw the Presidents fall in straight sets (25-21, 25-17, 25-14) to the host Terriers of Hiram. The opening setback halted a four-match winning streak for W&J, who are now 6-5 on the season. In the win, the Red & Black won by set scores of 26-28, 25-16, 27-29, 25-18, 15-9.

In the first bout against Hiram, Morgan Jacques (Pittsburgh, Pa./Pittsburgh Science & Technology Academy) led the W&J offense with nine kills. Mallory O'Brien (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) was at the center of the attack with 24 assists on the team's 29 kills. 

Defensively, Jacques led the team with four blocks, while Madison Lydic (Erie, Pa./Fort LeBoeuf) was right behind her with three blocks. 

In the win over Albion, Lydic and Julia Bernesser (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler) paced the offense with career days. Lydic led all players with a career-high 22 kills, while Bernesser finished second with a career-high 17 kills. O'Brien had an all-around performance, as she logged 51 assists and 16 digs for a double-double, her fourth of the season. 

On defense, Makenzie Coughlin (Brunswick, Ohio/Brunswick) recorded a team-high 22 digs. Lydic and Jacques tied for the team lead with four blocks. 

The Red & Black return to Presidents' Athletic Conference action on Wednesday, Sept. 19, when it challenges Chatham at 7 p.m. on the road.