CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio -- The volleyball program opened its 2014 season in Circleville, Ohio, on Tuesday, dropping both of its tri-match contests against Ohio Christian University and former Mid-South Conference rival Campbellsville University. OCU defeated Bluefield in four sets, while the Lady Tigers swept BC in three sets.

In the first match against the host Trailblazers, the Rams blocked well with 11 team blocks, but struggled with unforced attack and serving errors in the four set loss, 16-25, 26-24, 21-25, 22-25. Opening the first set with a -.059 hitting percentage put the Rams in a hole right away. Improved passing and attacking in set two allowed the visitors to even the match as they hammered home 14 kills and hit .333. Unforced errors doomed the effort in sets three and four as the Trailblazers' defense was too good to overcome.

For the match, the Rams were led by junior outside hitter Jasmine Morrow with 14 kills to go along with 15 digs. Sophomore Michaela Chiarilli added 7 kills. Defensive specialist Hannah Winter contributed 19 digs.

In match two, the Rams were opposed byformer MSC foe Campbellsville and again struggled to find an offensive rhythm in a straight-set loss to the Tigers 16-25, 19-25, 15-25.

The Rams continued to block well at the net, but hit only .041 for the match. Freshman outside hitter Ellen Johnson paced the Rams with 6 kills and 8 digs. Jasmine Morrow added 11 digs.

The team will split the squad for a scrimmage tonight in Roanoke against Hollins and Ferrum and return to game action next week in Montgomery WV for another tri-match against WV Tech and Bluefield State