FREDERICK, Md.--The Hood College volleyball team (2-12, 0-2 CAC) put forth a valiant effort, rallying from a 2-0 deficit to outlast Marymount University 37-35 in the third set, but came up just short in game four, falling 3-1 (25-30, 19-30, 37-35, 21-30) to the visiting Saints (2-8, 1-1 CAC) Wednesday in a Capital Athletic Conference game at Gambrill Gymnasium.

Both teams came into the contest seeking their first CAC win of the season. The match was a back-and-forth affair which featured numerous lengthy rallies.

After dropping the first two sets, the Blazers found themselves in a 28-23 hole in the third game. The Blazers fought off four match points and eventually drew even at 29-29 on an attack error by Heather LeMay. Another Saint miscue gave the Blazers their first set point of the match, but the score would be deadlocked six more times before a victor emerged.

After a service error by Caroline Woodhams drew the teams even at 35-35, the Blazers got the side out right back on a serving error by Marymount's Christina LaVigna and clinched the set on a Lindsey Nagy kill for a gutsy 37-35 triumph.

In the fourth set, the Blazers and Saints were tied at 9-9 before Johnnie Drew served 10 straight points for a 19-9 Marymount advantage. Hood rallied once again and closed to within 23-17 on an ace by Woodhams, but the Saints ripped off the next three points in a row and went on to seal the match with a 30-21 victory in game four.

Senior Ashley Bryan smacked a team-high 15 kills and added six digs, while classmate Jamie Bussey spearheaded the defense with an impressive 34 digs. Freshman Kristina Straub notched a double-double with 21 assists and 16 digs while Woodhams set up 12 Blazer kills and served up four aces.

The Blazers' next match is slated for Tuesday against CAC rival Villa Julie College at 7 p.m. at Gambrill Gymnasium.