LAKEWOOD, NJ  – The Georgian Court University volleyball team, winners of the last four Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) titles, opened its 2010 campaign on a sour note, falling to visiting NYIT, 3-0, Thursday afternoon at the GCU Wellness Center.

With a roster consisting of 12 freshmen, the Lions (0-1), understandably, struggled to develop chemistry on the floor as they dropped three straight sets to the 1-0 Bears of the ECC (16-25, 17-25, 15-25).

Senior middle-hitter Stephanie Rivera led the Lions with eight kills while freshman libero Nicole Sparks tallied a game-high 12 digs. Freshman setter Karol Oliveros led Georgian Court with nine assists in her collegiate debut.  

Outside hitter Shelby Cable (Fr.-DeSoto, MO) led the Bears' offense with 12 kills on 23 attempts. Setter Damla Albayrak (Jr.-Istanbul, Turkey) contributed a game-high 20 assists and five blocks. Libero Lisa Peacock (Jr.-Lindenhurst, NY)  added 10 digs in the NYIT backcourt. 

Georgian Court takes to the road for the first time this season on Saturday afternoon with a tri-match in Flushing, NY vs. Southern Connecticut State University (1:00 PM) and Queens College (3:00 PM).