NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The Meredith College volleyball team opened the 2014 campaign Friday at the Christopher Newport Captains Classic. The Avenging Angels cruised past Bridgewater 3-0 (25-7, 25-16, 25-19) before falling in straight sets to the Virginia Wesleyan Marlins (25-23, 25-21, 25-20).

Meredith posted a whopping .714 hitting percentage in set one versus the Eagles to set the tone for the match. Sophomore Karlie Long tallied a perfect five-for-five from the outside to give the Angels an edge.

Although slightly less efficient in set two, Meredith managed to put away Bridgewater. Rookie middle hitter Anna Huff posted three kills and one solo block in the win.

Set three saw power hitter Emily Hendricks with six kills to help Meredith finish off the Eagles for the win.

The Avenging Angels faced a seasoned Virginia Wesleyan squad in their second match on the day. Long hit 5-of-10 in the opening set as Meredith trailed the Marlins much of the first set.

A kill from outside hitter Emily Hendricks tied the set at 22, and a Marlins misstep gave Meredith their first lead of the match.

VWC's leading hitter Alex Lambert posted a pair of kills on the next three plays to push her team to a 1-0 set lead.

Wesleyan carried the momentum into the second set and led by as many as six points.

Meredith cut down the errors in the final set but had no answer for Lambert who finished the match with 18 kills on 34 attempts.

Rookie setter Hannah Blaylock recorded 27 assists in her collegiate debut and added 24 versus the Marlins. Emery McGee led Meredith with 15 digs on the day.

The Avenging Angels face Washington and Lee at 2 p.m. in day-two of the Captains Classic, followed by a 4 p.m. pairing with Southern Virginia. Follow Meredith live in game one.