SALISBURY, N.C. — The Davis & Elkins College volleyball team opened the 2026 season Friday at the 5th Set Invitational, hosted by Belmont Abbey and Catawba, dropping a pair of matches to begin the season 0-2.

Game One: Belmont Abbey 3, D&E 0

Davis & Elkins opened the tournament against Belmont Abbey, falling 25-23, 25-16, 25-17.

The Senators battled throughout the opening set, staying within striking distance and tying the score 23-23 before Belmont Abbey closed out the set with the final two points. D&E was unable to carry the momentum into the second and third sets as the Crusaders pulled away to complete the sweep.

D&E recorded 25 kills in the match, with Kaylee Vanjo, Braelyn Brenneman, Jezabel Mari Bernard Saez and the unnamed player listed in the official statistics each recording four kills. Liene Duijn led the Senators with 13 assists, while Emily Besten added 10 assists. Neve Norris paced the defensive effort with 10 digs.

Game Two: Catawba 3, D&E 0

D&E returned to action Friday evening against host Catawba, falling 25-19, 25-17, 25-14.

The Senators showed flashes throughout the opening set, including taking a 7-4 lead early. Catawba responded with a run and eventually built an 18-11 advantage. D&E continued to battle, cutting the deficit to 19-14 before the Catawba Indians closed the set, 25-19.

D&E remained competitive in the second set, tying the score at 3-3 before eventually trailing 8-7. The Senators continued to fight and pulled within one at 14-13, but Catawba closed the set on an 11-4 run to take a 2-0 lead.

In the third set, D&E battled Catawba through the early stages, with the score tied at 7-7 before the Indians began to create separation. The Senators cut the deficit to 17-14, but Catawba scored eight of the final 11 points to secure the 3-0 victory.

Jezabel Mari Bernard Saez led the Senators with five kills, while Madison McGarry added four kills. Braelyn Brenneman recorded three kills, and Neve Norris finished with 10 digs. Duijn led D&E with nine assists, while Emily Besten added four assists.

Up Next

The Senators continue play at the 5th Set Invitational Saturday, Aug. 29, facing Erskine College at 10 a.m. before taking on Winston-Salem State University at 2 p.m. Both matches will be played in Salisbury, North Carolina.