CLEMSON, S.C. – The Wofford volleyball team opened up its 2019 season at the Big Orange Bash in Clemson on Friday, being edged out by Kennesaw State in three sets (25-21, 25-21, 25-21).

Senior Catie Cronister led Wofford with seven kills and seven digs, while freshman Kennedy Smith recorded five kills and Meghan Yaffa and Riley Coonan sent home four kills.

The Terriers fell behind 6-0 to start the first set, but rallied back to within one point as Cronister and Coonan combined for a block to make the score 7-6. The Owls looked to pull away but a pair of kills from Kelly Bossert once again cut the deficit to one (16-15). Cronister sent home a kill that made the score 22-20 in favor of Kennesaw State, but the Owls yielded just one more point and took set one 25-21.

The two sides went point-for-point to open the second until Kennesaw State took an 11-6 advantage. The Terriers mounted a rally, tying the score at 13 after Bossert and Cronister each recorded a kill. Trailing by two, the Owls put some distance between the two sides, taking the second set 25-21.

The third set began much like the second, but this time it was Wofford who jumped out to the lead as Cronister made the score 10-6 after back-to-back kills. When Kennesaw State made the deficit just two, the Terriers responded seven of the next 11 points. The Owls responded out of a timeout, taking a two-point lead after scoring seven unanswered. After faltering on an attack, Kennesaw State closed out the match with a kill and another 25-21 set victory.

Wofford will look to bounce back on Saturday, facing the host Clemson at 10 a.m. before concluding the tournament with a match against Georgia at 5 p.m.