The Case Western Reserve University volleyball team lost both of its matches on the first day of the University Athletic Association Round Robin #1 at the Ratner Athletics Center in Chicago, Illinois, falling to No. 5 Emory University 3-2 and Carnegie Mellon University 3-1.

CWRU dropped to 4-7 overall and 0-2 in the UAA. Emory improved to 8-2 after the match and 1-0 in the UAA.

The Spartans fought hard against the nationally ranked Eagles, falling in five sets 19-25, 25-21, 13-25, 25-16, 8-15. After battling hard in the first set, the team broke through in the second to tie the match. The Spartans then rebounded from a tough third set to force a decisive final frame.

Junior outside hitter Gianna Lambert led the team with 14 kills and added five digs. Sophomore middle blocker Jennifer Ngo contributed 11 kills. Leading the Spartans with 36 assists was junior setter Sara Rogers, who also added 10 digs. Sophomore libero Alyssa Blessinger had 5 service aces and 17 digs.

Following the second match, Carnegie Mellon improved to 5-4 and 2-0 in conference play.

Case Western Reserve dropped the first set to the Tartans 20-25, but responded with a 25-17 win in the second set. After Carnegie Mellon took the third set 25-15, the Spartans pushed the Tartans in the fourth set. However, CWRU ultimately fell 30-28.

Ngo led the way with 17 kills and a .400 hit percentage, while Lambert added 13 kills. Three Spartans recorded double-digit dig totals with Blessinger recording 27; first-year setter Ansley Yamaato tied a career high with 19; and Rogers contributed 14. Rogers also led the team with 38 assists.  

The Spartans wrap up the first UAA Round Robin on Sunday, facing Brandeis University at 11:00 a.m. at the Ratner Athletics Center.