Box Score HARRISONBURG, Va. – The Hampton University volleyball team opened play on Friday in the Tropical Smoothie Classic at James Madison University and fell in three close games to Drake 25-22, 27-25, 25-16.

Reeana Richardson had nine kills and five digs, while Lena Washington added nine kills and nine digs.  Maja Petronijevic topped the team with 11 digs and freshman Victoria Jenifer added six kills.

In the first game, Hampton jumped out to an 11-7 lead after a kill by Reeana Richardson.  Drake then reeled off 10 of the next 13 points to lead 17-14 after an attack error.  Hampton rebounded and forced a 22-22 tie after a kill from Washington, but the Bulldogs scored the next three points for the first game win.

The second game saw 17 ties and seven lead changes after a Hampton flurry of five out of seven points tied it for the last time at 25-25.  Hampton had a season-best attack percentage in game two of .361.

Drake took command of the third game racing out to a 20-9 lead but saw Hampton trimmed it to 24-16 before falling in three.

The Lady Pirates return to action on Saturday facing James Madison at 12:30 pm and Cornell at 5 pm in Memorial Gymnasium.

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.