Box Score The Lancaster Bible women's volleyball team played their first five set match at home in nearly three years on Thursday night. Unfortunately, it ended like the last one, with a loss.

Down, 2-1, the Chargers forced a fifth set against Alvernia, but couldn't close the deal and lost, 3-2. The Crusaders won, 25-15, 21-25, 25-23, 13-25, 15-13. 

After opening the match with one of their worst sets of the season, the Chargers responded with second set victory. Alvernia  jumped out to large lead in the third set, 16-7, but LBC clawed away at the lead and tied the set at 22-22. The Crusaders responded however and won three of the last four points to take the set. LBC was not phased and as bad as their first set was, the fourth may have been their best played set of the season.

"We may not have played that well all of this season and last season," Chargers' Head Coach Lauren Bewley said. "Our mental toughness is growing and to comeback after that third set and play that well was very encouraging."

The teams went back and forth in the final set, but LBC began to pull way after winning four straight points to take a 12-9 lead. After an Alvernia timeout, the Crusaders won the next four points to take a 13-12 lead. The Chargers fought back to tie the match at 13-13, but after another kill by the Crusaders made it 14-13, the Chargers failed to extend the game as their final chance went into the net, giving Alvernia the victory.

Sophomore Lauren Daniels led LBC with 18 kills and 13 digs, while senior Lauren Heliger had 15 kills and 22 digs. Katie Coomber played her best match of the season as she added three kills, 12 digs and 42 assists.

"Katie played great tonight," Bewley said. "She took good risks and most of them worked out."

Bewley was also impressed with Daniels' and Heliger's leadership.

"They both played well on the floor and led the team tonight," Bewley said. "A double-double is what we need from both of them."

LBC (1-8) will take part in the CUA Guetle Classic at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The Chargers will face Washington [Md.], Catholic and Ohio Christian at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. respectively. They will do it however, without three of their players, who will be on a retreat. Three matches in one day is challenging enough, but without three players, it is even more challenging. Bewley said the team will be ready.

"It's hard to know how we will respond, but we are up to the challenge," Bewley said of her team who will play their fourth, fifth and sixth matches of the week on Saturday. "We are OK with challenges and are not afraid."

LBC returns home next Tuesday when they host Baptist Bible at 7 p.m.

Notes:
-LBC's last five set match at home was Sept. 26, 2009 when they lost to Baptist Bible, 3-2 on Homecoming.