OAKDALE, N.Y. – The Lock Haven University volleyball team (2-2) lost to host Dowling College 3-1 in the opening match for the Lady Eagles at the Dowling Hilton Garden Inn-vitational.

Lock Haven dropped the first game 25-17 before rebounding to win game two 28-16. Dowling proved too strong for The Haven and took games three and four 25-16 and 25-14, respectively.

Lock Haven was led in kills by a pair of freshman.

Rookie Xuan Gao (Dong Ying, China/Zibo No. 10 Middle School) led The Haven in kills with 12.

Fellow rookie Grace Novacek (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell) also turned in a solid offensive output, as she hit .500 with eight kills. Novacek also led Lock Haven with four solo blocks.

A huge key for Dowling this evening was its 14 aces.

LHU will be in action twice tomorrow (Saturday, Sept. 5) at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. against Bentley College and St. Mary’s University, respectively.

Live stats and live video of tomorrow’s matches can be found at the following link.