CULLOWHEE, N.C. -- Three first-year players saw their first collegiate playing time, and several of last year's promising newcomers picked up where they left off in 2017, but the young Robert Morris volleyball team started its 2018 season with a loss to host Western Carolina in straight sets (23-25, 19-25, 21-25) in the Catamount Volleyball Classic at the Ramsey Center Friday night.

Sophomore Whitney Brown stabilized the offense with a match-high 27 assists, flirting with her career high of 30 that was achieved Sept. 2, 2017 against Coppin State. The Avonworth High School (Pittsburgh) product added eight digs and the first service ace of the year for the Colonials, who ranked fifth in the NCAA in aces per set (1.76) in 2017.

Fellow setter Megan Cannon opened her RMU account with five helpers, plus a pair of digs. Coming off an impressive showing in the team's Aug. 18 scrimmage with Division II Seton Hill (10 assists and 11 digs, unofficially), Cannon was subbed in for the first time with the Catamounts (1-0) leading the third set 8-6. She quickly aided a kill by sophomore middle blocker and 2017 NEC Rookie of the Year Emma Granger.

Rookie outside hitter Alyssa Hudak entered late as well and registered her first career kill, while freshman right side Emily Devlin picked up her first career block assist during the second set and finished with four kills.

Alyson Londot also tried to spark Robert Morris from the outside hitter spot, ringing up nine kills and eight digs. Another sophomore, middle blocker Maria Alfano, led the Colonials with ten kills and a .500 hitting percentage after being one of the Northeast Conference's most consistent attackers in her rookie campaign. In addition, Alfano, a teammate of Devlin's on Seneca Valley High School's (Cranberry Township, Pa.) 2016 district championship squad, made three total blocks.

Defensively, seniors Taylor Lord and Allie Yurkovich paced RMU with nine digs apiece.

The Colonials quickly fell into a 7-2 hole in the opening set, but their front row, buoyed by Granger and Alfano, helped Robert Morris answer with a 7-2 run of its own to pull even. Bolstered by Londot, RMU clawed its way to a 17-15 edge before WCU rallied.

Another seesaw battle unfolded in the second set, during which six ties happened. Again, the Colonials concocted a 17-15 advantage that they were unable to maintain.

RMU's offense spent most of its time chasing the third game, trimming Western Carolina's lead to as little as 18-17 before running out of steam.

Robert Morris (0-1) will look to break into the win column when the Catamount Volleyball Classic continues against Middle Tennessee Saturday at 10:00 a.m. EDT. The Colonials conclude their portion of the season-opening tournament with a 4:00 p.m. match Saturday against Charleston Southern.

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