Box Score MT. BERRY, Ga. -  The Mississippi University for Women volleyball squad suffered a setback in its 2021 season opener, losing 3-0 to perennial power Maryville College in the opening game of then Berry College Tournament. The Owls (0-1) fell to the Scots (1-0) by set scores of 14-25, 25-27, 15-25) at the Cage Center.
 
A youthful The W team did not have an answer for the veteran MC unit, which is coming off of a 16-1 campaign in 2020-21. The Owls hit a creditable .177, but the experienced Maryville side hit .349 for the match.
 
"We may not have won but the girls played their hearts out," The W Head Volleyball Coach Halee Hensley said. "I saw so many good things from today's match. These young ladies are going to do some great things this season."
 
(The match was also Hensley's debut at the Owls' helm).
 
The Scots also served up a total of 17 aces, compared to nine by The W. Micaela Hudgins (Columbus, MS/New Hope HS) and Madison Suggs (Caledonia, MSA/Caledonia HS) had four and three aces, respectively, for the Owls.
 
Suggs was also perfect in receiving, making good on all 14 of her reception opportunities. Hannah Duran's (Madison, MS/Germantown HS) six digs and four assists topped The W in those categories.
 
Maggie Griggs' (Tupelo, MS/Tupelo HS) six kills led the Owl attackers. Griggs had The W's best attack average, as well, hitting at a .385 clip (one error in 13 attacks). Teammate Llayne Skinner (Danville, AL/Danville HS) chipped in three kills.
 
The Owls continue play on Saturday, facing host Berry at 10 a.m. Central Time, before facing Sewanee at 3 p.m. CT.