MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The Asbury University volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision on Tuesday evening at Bethel University in non-conference play.

The Eagles returned to Tennessee after playing four matches over the weekend in Nashville for the Music City Invitational.

After a back-and-forth opening set early on, Bethel extended their lead out to 16-11 and AU was unable to recover as they dropped the first set 25-21.

The Eagles held an early lead in the second set, but Bethel came storming back to even it up 10 all. BU increased their lead out to 16-12 before Asbury rallied to tie up the set at 20-20.

A kill from Bethany Fye knotted things up again at 24-24. However, with the set tied at 25, Bethel would win the final two points on a kill and an attack error.

AU continued to fight and was right in the mix again in the third set. The final set was the pure definition of neck-and-neck, as neither team could gain a lead in a set that featured 16 times when the score was tied.

With things dead even at 21-21, Bethel would finally breakaway winning four of the next five points to secure the set and match.

For the match, freshman Hailey Jordan posted a team-high 17 assists, 15 digs, and also tallied five kills.

Mari-Grace Alexander notched 10 kills, while senior Julia Thompson collected nine kills.

Jordan, Bethany Fye, Bethany Laue, and Thompson each had one block apiece. Jessie Sandefur added 10 digs and Kandace Eligio recorded nine.

As a team, Asbury finished the contest with 32 kills and a .132 hitting percentage.

The Eagles will return to the road on Thursday at Shawnee State. Thursday's match is scheduled for a 7 PM start time.