COLUMBUS, Miss. – The W volleyball suffered its first loss of the young season, dropping a five-set, non-conference, marathon match to Jarvis Christian University, 3-2, at Pohl Gym. The Owls (1-1) fell to their NAIA foe Bulldogs (4-2) by set scores of 14-25, 26-24, 25-21, 13-25, 8-15 in Wednesday's contest.  
 
MUW battled gamely, despite facing a JCU roster sporting no less than four players checking in a 6-foot or better (the Owls' tallest player is 5-foot-11) in the first-ever meeting between the schools. The Bulldogs were playing their second five-set match in as many days, losing to NCAA Division I Mississippi Valley State University in five on Tuesday.
 
The W's attack average suffered versus the taller Jarvis squad, hitting just .063 for the night. Conversely, JCU had a .189 attack average and had 12 blocks as a unit.
 
The Owls were paced again by junior transfer MC Brown. Brown had a match-leading 15 kills. She also chipped in five solo blocks, nine digs, and an ace as she had a hand in 21 of the Owls' points in the match.
 
Megan Neeb added eight kills, Avery Watts had six, and Madyson McBrayer had five.
 
Freshman setter Madison Wood had 21 assists and served up three of MUW's six aces. Senior setter Hannah Duran contributed 15 assists.
 
Sophomore libero Bailee Schmitt led the back-row players with 16 digs. Madison Kelly matched Brown with nine digs.
 
The W will look to return to the win column on Saturday (September 7/1 p.m.), hosting Belhaven University for another non-league bout at Pohl Gym.