Playing its first home match of the year, the William and Mary volleyball team battled hard but ultimately fell to VCU, 3-0 on Thursday night.  The Tribe is now 6-10 overall, while the Rams improved to 7-12 and 2-3 in the Colonial Athletic Association.

Tribe senior Brooke Bauernfeind (Ashburn, Va.) led all players on the night with 13 kills and 13 points, including five kills in each of the last two sets.  Redshirt-freshman Paulette Grand Pre (Laguna Beach, Calif.) had 10 kills, adding five digs and a pair of service aces on the night.  Classmate Monika Stanciauskas (Wheaton, Ill.) was her customarily efficient self, hitting six kills on nine attempts with no errors, and added three blocks, four digs, and an ace.

Also of note, freshman Carolina Rivas (Orlando, Fla.) had 36 assists with four digs and two blocks, and sophomore Julia Swalchick (Melbourne, Fla.) smacked eight kills.  Junior Shaylin O'Connell (Leesburg, Va.) had six kills and two blocks, and sophomore Celine Alasomuka (Centreville, Va.) had a match-high 11 digs.

The two very evenly matched teams played that way especially in the first set, with neither side gaining a lead of more than three points until VCU went up four at 22-18.  W&M took four of the next five points to chop the lead to a single point, and then facing set point at 24-22, scored the next three to take the advantage at 25-24.  The Rams still had a timeout to call, however, and used the break to settle themselves and respond with three points of their own to win 27-25.

W&M found itself down seven early in the second set, but showed terrific mettle and calmly worked its offense to climb back in it, closing the gap to a pair at 18-16.  VCU was able to block its way back in front, however, and held on for the 25-18 win.  The third set followed a similar pattern, with W&M erasing a six-point deficit but unable to nose in front as the Rams took the set and the match, 25-21.

William and Mary continues its six-match homestand on Tuesday, hosting Villanova at 7 p.m.