BUFFALO, NY – The Hampton University volleyball team opened their 2017 season on Friday in the University of Buffalo Classic and dropped a pair of 3-0 decisions to the host Bulls and the University of Central Arkansas.  Hampton will close out action in the tournament on Saturday morning with a 10am matchup against Canisius.

BUFFALO 3, HAMPTON 0 (25-13, 25-17, 25-8)
In the opener, Hampton fell 25-13, 25-17, 25-8 to the host Bulls.   Lena Washington topped the Lady Pirates with seven kills, while Victoria Jenifer added five.  Mallory Beard dished eight assists and had four digs, while Maja Petronijevic added four assists and five digs.

Hampton trailed 11-5 in the first set following a Kelci Dixon kill, but that was as close as Hampton got in the opening set.  In the second, Hampton went on a 7-3 flurry to trim the deficit to 18-17 following a Buffalo attack error.  The hosts scored the next seven points to win the second set.  In the third, Buffalo opened with 10 of the first 12 points to cruise to the three-set win.

CENTRAL ARKANSAS 3, HAMPTON 0 (25-7, 25-18, 25-15)
In the final matchup of the day for Hampton, the Lady Pirates dropped a 25-7, 25-18, 25-15 decision to the Sugar Bears of Central Arkansas.  Washington again topped Hampton with eight kills and five digs, while Ravyn Richardson had five kills. 

In the opening set, Central Arkansas raced out to a 12-3 lead after a kill by Washington.  UCA scored 12 of the next 15 points to cruise in the 25-7 win.  Hampton closed the second set with a 9-3 run to get within 24-18 after an attack error by UCA before falling 25-18.  In the third saw eight ties in the first 11 points, before the Sugar Bears opened a 20-13 lead and won 25-15.

Hampton University friends and alumni, join us throughout the year in celebrating the 150^th anniversary of Hampton University and the 40^th anniversary of our President Dr. William R. Harvey.

For more information on Hampton University volleyball, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.