MARYVILLE, Tenn. - Covenant started conference play Wednesday night with a trip to Maryville. In a rematch of last year's championship game, Maryville came out on top to give Covenant its first conference loss since 2022. 

Final: Covenant 1, Maryville 3
Records: Covenant (4-9, 0-1 CCS), Maryville (7-5, 1-0 CCS)

FIRST SET:

• Hannah Mathis had four early kills for Covenant as it led 5-3.
• Covenant continued to lead as back-to-back service aces by Sarah Jennings made it 12-9.
• After a kill from Cali Sandhoff and an attack error by Maryville, Covenant kept a three-point lead at 21-18. 
• Another service ace from Sarah Jennings gave Covenant a set point at 24-23, however three consecutive points for Maryville ended the set 26-24 in the home team's favor. 

SECOND SET:

• A 5-0 run by Maryville gave it an early cushion at 9-5.
• Covenant came roaring back as a 7-2 run with kills from three different players put it in front 17-15.
• Two kills from Maryville and two attack errors by Covenant saw Maryville take the lead again at 21-19.
• A service ace by Maryville ended the set at 25-22.

THIRD SET: 

• Covenant came out with new life as it jumped out to a commanding 15-3 lead.
• A couple of errors from Maryville mixed in with a kill from Cali Sandhoff kept Covenant's lead in double-figures at 23-11.
• Kayley Shanfelt had the set-clinching kill at 25-17.

FOURTH SET: 

• Maryville started the set with three consecutive points that included two service aces.
• Kills from Sandhoff, Barber, and a service ace from Sandhoff put Covenant in front at 13-12.
• With Maryville leading 17-16, it went on an 8-0 run on Reese Bailey's service rotation to end the set at 25-16 and the match. 

GAME NOTES:

• Covenant moves to 16-32 all-time against Maryville.
• The loss ends a 24-game win streak that Covenant had against conference opposition. 
• Mathis tied her career-high in kills with 18 to lead the Scots. She also posted three total blocks. 
• Barber set a new career-high in assists with 33. 
• Sandhoff and Shanfelt each tallied nine kills. 
• Jennings led Covenant in digs with 21. 

UP NEXT: Covenant has its first home match on Friday at 6:30 p.m. against Berea.

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