Lakewood, N.J.- The Georgian Court University volleyball team, the reigning Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) champions, commenced its attempt at a repeat Saturday as the Lions spilt a pair of matches on day one of the inaugural GCU Lions Volleyball Invitational.

The Lions started the day with a 3-1 loss to Roberts Wesleyan College (15-25, 26-24, 22-25, 15-25) before righting the ship with a 3-1 victory vs. Franklin Pierce University (25-20, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20) later in the afternoon.

Jordan Wilson (Sr.-Vista, Calif.) paced the offense for the 2-0 Redhawks, drilling 14 kills on 20 attempts in the victory. Kendall Havener (Jr.-Alpine, Calif.) and Courtney Taylor (Fr.-Spring, Texas) followed with 11 kills apiece. Maggie Concannon (Jr.-Lancaster, N.Y.) distributed a game-high 25 assists while Becca Maher (Sr.-Baldwinsville, N.Y.) topped RWC with 12 digs.

Taylor Winchester (Jr.-Hesperia, Calif.), in her Georgian Court debut, topped her teammates with nine kills. Kelsey Oliver (So.-Vancouver. Wash.) dished a team-best 23 assists while Francheska Cedres (Gr.-Carolina, P.R.) controlled 13 digs.

In the nightcap vs. Franklin Pierce (1-1), Kelsie Blue (So.-Waretown, N.J.) and Tatiana Villariny Rodriguez (Sr.-Rio Grande, P.R.) led the charge with nine kills each. Oliver shared 34 assists with Cedres handling nine digs for the Lions (1-1).

Catie Swiderski (Sr.-Rocky Point, N.Y.) led Franklin Pierce with 10 kills in the losing effort. Kelsey Hausman (So.-Sandy, Utah) tallied 19 assists with teammate Sarah MacHugh (Jr.-Red Hook, N.Y.) settling a match-best 12 digs.

GCU returns to the court on Sunday with matches vs. Southern New Hampshire University (10:00 a.m.) and Mercy College (4:00 p.m.).