Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The Benedictine University women's volleyball team opened up the IIAC/NACC Crossover Challenge on Friday in Dubuque, Iowa with two contests. BenU fell to Loras College in three sets at 1:00 p.m. and to Luther College in four sets at 5:00 p.m.

In the early match against host Loras, the Eagles (4-13) were defeated 25-15, 25-17, 25-15. The Duhawks were able to hold the Eagles to just 29 kills and in 105 attempts on the match, as well as just nine service aces. Keriann Groen was BenU's leading attacker with six kills, while Abby Screnock tallied 23 digs. Screnock and Andraia Leja each totaled double-digit digs, with 15 and 12 respectivley.

Against Luther in the early evening, the Norse were able to take the match's first two sets 25-20 and 25-18. Benedictine came back to take the third set 25-22, but Luther was able to hold off the Eagles in set four 25-18. The Eagles tallied just 27 kills in the match, with Beckie Whitmarsh (six) and Kristi Naylon (five) leading the way. Screnock added 21 assists and 17 digs, while Leja tallied 22 digs. Caitlyn Martin served strong, recording five aces.

"We knew it was going to be a tough weekend," said Head Coach Jennifer WIldes. "We didn't start out very strong, which was dissapointing. However, we did improve in the second match, showing some fire and improvement."

Benedictine is back in action tomorrow with two more games in the IIAC/NACC Crossover Challenge. BenU takes on Wartburg College at 11:00 a.m. and Coe College at 3:00 p.m.