HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College volleyball team (1-1) split a doubleheader on the first day of the Haverford Invitational inside Gooding '84 Arena, falling to Augsburg, a team receiving votes in the national poll, in the season opener, before rallying to fend off Stockton in a game-two thriller that captivated the Ford faithful gathered for the annual lid-lifter.

Augsburg 3, Haverford 1 (25-16, 20-25, 25-20, 25-19)

First-year Gia Frank (7 kills) had a big debut against the Auggies, while Kayla Chu (13 assists) and Claire Jordan (10 digs) each had solid contributions. Juliet Young added nine digs while Dasha Igonin collected four service aces, matching Jordan in that category. Augsburg was paced by Emily Kaup who logged 11 kills and Jovial King, as the setter added 12 assists and 10 digs in an all-around effort. A trio of Auggies had double-digit digs (Kaup, King, and Brier Ziemer). 

Haverford struggled in the closeout fourth set, as the visitors limited the Fords to a negative hitting percentage to take things in four. 

Haverford 3, Stockton 2 (25-20, 25-21, 22-25, 23-25, 15-19)

In the second game of the night, Haverford outlasted Stockton in a five-set thriller. 

The Fords got out to a quick 2-0 lead on the Ospreys, with everything seemingly clicking for the Fords in the early goings. Haverford hit .235 in its first set victory, and .263 in the second, but Stockton had an answer, clawing its way back with a extremely impressive performance from contributors Kate Louer (14 kills) and Jaylah Rolle (13 kills). Nicole Palmer was everywhere for the visitors, punching down 16 kills and adding 10 digs. 

Stockton was firing on all cylinders in a big fourth-frame (.326), but Haverford staked its victory to an 8-1 run to begin the decisive fifth set. The run included a solid serving turn from Dasha Igonin, as the first year consistently frustrated the Ospreys and set up Taylor Jones and Caroline Lucas for some big-moment kills. 

Eliana Brown (12 kills) and Claire Jordan (11 kills) each had solid all-around performances in the nightcap, while Juliet Young was a force to be reckoned with, logging a career-best 41 digs. Jordan added 19 to pick up a double-double.

The blocking effort was yet again a huge strength for the Fords, as Jordan (5 total blocks), Jones (5 total blocks), and Izabela Potocnjak (6 total blocks) all held things down in the front row. 

Haverford returns to action tomorrow as the Haverford Invitational continues with action against Coast Guard (11 a.m.) and Lebanon Valley (3 p.m.) to wrap up the slate on the first weekend of action inside Gooding Arena.