FREDONIA, N.Y. – The Case Western Reserve University volleyball team split a pair of matches on day one of the 2012 Blue Devil Invitational on Friday evening at Fredonia State University. The Spartans swept the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford to open the evening then lost in five to Buffalo State University (N.Y.).

The Spartans (15-5) close out the weekend with a pair of matches early tomorrow afternoon.

Versus Pitt-Bradford (6-16), the Spartans won by scores of 25-10, 25-16 and 25-16. Twelve different Spartans recorded kills led by freshman outside hitter Carolyn Bogart (New Berlin, Wis./New Berlin Eisenhower) with seven and sophomore middle hitter Natalie Southard (Buffalo, N.Y./City Honors School) with five. Freshman setter Robyn Marks (Waterford, Mich./Waterford Mott) and senior Breana Freeman (Geneva, Ohio/Geneva) shared the setting duties with 15 and 14 assists, respectively.

Defensively, senior libero Rachel Gulasey (Cleveland, Ohio/Magnificat) led the way with 15 digs.

Versus Buffalo State (17-4), the Spartans dropped the first two sets by counts of 25-17 and 27-25 before rallying to tie the match with wins of 25-20 and 25-14. Buffalo State won the deciding set, 15-12.

Bogart and Southard were once again the attack leaders with 20 and 15 kills, respectively. Gulasey led the defense with 30 digs.

Freeman (31 assists/16 digs) and Marks (21 assists/16 digs) each posted double-doubles.

The Spartans play Nazareth College (N.Y.) tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. and final pool play records will determine the final opponent at 2:00 p.m.