FREDERICK, Md.--The Hood College volleyball team (0-2) dropped a pair of nonconference matches to the College of Notre Dame (Md.) (14-25, 22-25, 14-25) and Shenandoah University (25-12, 17-25, 21-25, 22-25) Saturday afternoon in a triangular at Gambrill Gymnasium.

The Blazers struggled offensively in the first match against their former rivals from the Atlantic Women's Colleges Conference. The Gators also racked up 13 service aces on the day en route to the sweep. Junior Ashley Burns paced the Blazers with six kills while sophomore Kristan Hawkins chipped in five. Sophomore Chelsea Weaver led the defense with 12 digs and classmate Kristina Straub set up 11 Blazer kills.

In the second match, the Blazers came out inspired, trouncing the Hornets 25-12 in the first set. Weaver, Burns, Hawkins and senior Jamie Gardner all put down kills in the set. But the Hornets rallied to take the next three sets and improved to 2-0 on the season. Weaver racked up seven kills and 13 digs to go along with a pair of aces while Gardner amassed a team-high 19 digs to go along with five kills. Freshman Katherine Brosius added 10 digs and a pair of servce aces while fellow newcomer Bailey Runkles notched 13 digs in the contest.

Hood returns to action Wednesday evening at Frostburg State University for a 7 p.m. nonconference match.