ROCHESTER, N.Y. –The Roberts Wesleyan women's volleyball team opened East Coast Conference play with a 3-0 loss to the University of Bridgeport on Friday night.
 
In the first set the Purple Knights used a 9-1 run to take controlling 16-7 lead. Junior setter Ellie Rich had 12 of her team-high 39 assists in the first set to help Bridgeport win 25-18.
 
The Redhawks played a tightly contested, back-and-forth second set. A service error by the visitor gave Roberts a 15-14 advantage but Bridgeport responded with a five point rally to take a 19-15 lead. Roberts didn't go away as they fought back to just a one point deficit at 21-20 with a kill by freshman Emily Rowlison and two errors by the Purple Knights. But again, Bridgeport would rally back, winning the set 25-21.
 
In the third and final set the Redhawks stuck even with Bridgeport through 11 points but the visitors began to build a lead going up 15-12 following a kill from outside hitter Amanda Hennemann. The sophomore led the match with 12 kills. Bridgeport went on to win the set 25-19 to pick up their first ECC win of the season.
 
Freshman Grace Detwiler led the Redhawks offense with eight kills while senior Elisabeth Rivera had 13 assists on the night.
 
Libero Shelby Strausbaugh had 10 digs in the game.
 
Roberts (0-15, 0-1 ECC) will host Mercy on Saturday at noon for the second ECC matchup of the season.