BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Covenant volleyball team opened the 2019 season with a 3-0 (25-15, 25-10, 25-18) loss at Birmingham Southern in the McAttack Bash, hosted by Birmingham Southern, on Friday night.

It was the season opener for Covenant (0-1), while it was the host Birmingham Southern's (2-0) second match, and second win, of the day.

The Scots struggled throughout to get a consistent attack going as Covenant tallied just 20 kills for the match. Jess Chesrown had five kills to lead the Scots, while Allie Jakes had four. Emily Moore totaled 14 assists and Savannah Savage led the back row with 17 digs.

Covenant had its most efficient set in the opening frame, but the Scots could not keep pace with Birmingham Southern. The Scots had 10 kills in the set, however a 14-6 run over the middle portion of the game saw the Panthers pull away and claim a 1-0 match lead. 

It was more Birmingham Southern in the second set as the Panthers hit .343 as a group and had 15 kills to grab a 2-0 lead. In the third, Covenant fell behind 17-8 before rallying to trim the deficit to 20-16 after a Lindsey Stephens ace and a Panthers error. Birmingham Southern thwarted the rally from there as the Panthers completed the sweep.

Birmingham Southern hit .208 in the match and was led by Milea Ray's 10 kills and Rebecca Erwin's nine. Reilly Vought added 20 assists and Alyssa Coats recorded 17 digs.

UP NEXT

Covenant will conclude the McAttack Bash on Saturday with matches against St. Catherine (12 p.m. eastern time) and Rhodes (4 p.m. eastern) at Bill Battle Coliseum in Birmingham, Ala.

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