The Misericordia University women's volleyball team opened its MAC Freedom schedule with a tough 3-0 loss at defending conference champion Stevens, Wednesday.

Meghan Peters led the Cougars with nine kills, eight digs and two blocks. Jenna Schuda had 22 assists, five kills and two aces and Madison Tullo had five kills and three blocks.

Jessica Cleveland had eight digs and three aces.

The Cougars dropped the first two sets by identical 25-23 scores before losing the finale, 25-18.

Trailing 23-18 in the opening set, the Cougars used a 5-1 run to get within a point.  McCaffrey and Peters combined on a block and Cassandra Genduso's ace was followed by a block by Schuda.

McCaffrey and Peters had back-to-back kills to get within 24-23.

Down 13-6 in the second set, Sarah Journey had three aces as the Cougars scored seven straight points to pull even.

Stevens answered with seven straight points to take 20-13 lead.  Cleveland had a pair of aces to get MU within 24-23.

The Ducks used a 12-3 run to break a 5-5 tie and build a 17-8 lead in the finale.