Rocky Mount, N.C. - The Battling Bishop volleyball team suffered another heartbreaking five-set loss on Tuesday night, falling 3-2 to the Marlins of Virginia Wesleyan College in Everett Gymnasium (15-25, 25-18, 25-20, 20-25, 15-9).

NCWC (2-5) came out on fire in the opening set, racing out to a 14-2 lead. The Marlins (5-5) regrouped in the latter part of the set, but they were unable to overcome 15 Bishop kills as a team, eventually dropping the set by a 25-15 score.

VWC picked up wins in sets two and three only to see the Bishops battle back for a 25-20 win in set four to force a fifth and deciding set. The Marlins opened set five with a 6-0 run, which proved to be the difference in the final score, 15-9.

Individually, senior Tori Stewart racked up a game-high 16 kills, and she was joined in double-figures by Evie Hunter and Taylor Smith with ten apiece. Senior setter Ayla Brewer tallied 48 assists and four service aces on the night, while libero Christina Huber anchored the defensive effort with 27 digs. Hunter complimented Huber with 25 digs of her own.

As a team, NCWC managed 54 kills to the Marlins 51 on the night, but VWC dominated the blocking battle with 11 total blocks to the Bishops' five.

The Bishops continue non-conference play this weekend in Pennsylvania, taking on Gettysburg College Friday night and playing a pair of matches at Dickinson on Saturday.