WAYNESBURG, Pa. - The Bethany College volleyball team opened Presidents' Athletic Conference with a four-set (25-23, 27-25, 21-25, 27-25) loss to Waynesburg Thursday inside the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse.  

Bethany raced out to an 18-10 lead causing a pair of timeouts by the Yellow Jackets in the first set. Waynesburg quickly tied the game at 20, then scored five of the last eight points to secure the victory.  

It was another fast start for the Bison, scoring the first six points of the second half. However, Waynesburg tallied 11 of the next 15 points to take the lead. The Yellow Jackets extended the lead to as much as seven points (21-14), but Bethany stormed back to force the 22-22 tie. Eventually, the hosts were able to secure the 27-25 win. 

Unlike the first two sets, there was no extended early run by either team. Trailing 21-17, Bethany finished off its first-set victory by scoring the final eight points.  

Neither team held more than a four-point lead in the fourth set, and Waynesburg staved off three match points before securing the match win.  

Adriana Gilliam posted her fourth double-double of the season with 14 kills and 16 digs, while Averie Braymer added 10 kills. Talia Gallagher was one assist from tying her career-high, finishing with 42 assists.  

INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES 

• Bethany entered the match, winners of 29 consecutive matches against the Yellow Jackets, dropping just four sets.  

• The Bison had their nine-match PAC winning streak come to an end. Bethany had won 13 of its last 15 matches.  

• Gallagher recorded her second consecutive double-double, and her fifth of the season.  

• Four players recorded double-figure digs – Anna Taylor (22), Gallagher (17), Gilliam (16), and JaSona Belyeu (12). 

• It's the second straight season Bethany fell in the PAC opener. Last season, the Bison followed with nine straight wins and a conference championship. 

• Mykah Hettinger entered the match with one kill and two sets played. In her first extended playing time, the freshman finished with six kills on 14 attempts with one error.  

Bethany (4-6 overall, 0-1 PAC) travels to LaRoche Saturday for a tri-match. The Bison will face Lycoming at 10 a.m., followed by a meeting with Carlow at noon.