Box Score It was a 50-50 day for the Hamline volleyball team on the first day of the annual HU Invitational at Hutton Arena.

The Pipers' day got off to a good start with a 3-0 sweep of Bethany Lutheran. The Pipers' defense stood tall, combing for 17 blocks. Katie Ayres (13) led the way with five assisted blocks. Sam Greeney-Hamlin (13), who topped the offense as well with a dozen kills and Stephanie Kaup had four each.

Hamline was sorely tested in the first game, coming from behind for a 26-24 win. The second game was also a tough battle with HU pulling away at the end for a 25-21 win. In Game 3, the Pipers wore the Vikings down early en route to a 25-10 win and the sweep. Becka Mozes had 36 assists and Lynsey Reimer added 17 digs.

Unfortunately, matters were reversed in the second match, a 3-0 defeat at thre hands of Wis-River Falls. The Pipers gave the Falcons, now 5-1 on the season, a rough time of it in game 1 before finally giving in, 24-26. They dropped the second game, 17-25 but jumped to a lead in the third one before WRF came back to for a 22-25 decision. Michelle Mattke paced the offense with nine digs and Micki Green had a career best 17 digs. (Jamie Rubbelke added 11.)

The Pipers get back at it Saturday with matches against Crown (12:00 p.m.) and Ripon (2:00 p.m.)