FREDERICK, Md.--The Hood College volleyball team (5-18) lost to the visiting Catholic University Cardinals (22-9) in three sets, 25-15, 25-10, 25-15, Monday evening in a nonconference match at Gambrill Gymnasium.

The Blazers and Cardinals met for the second time this season and Hood was looking to avenage a 3-0 setback to Catholic at the CUA quad match back in September. Trailing 8-2 early on, the Blazers raced back to close to within 14-12 on blocks by Kristan Hawkins and Ashley Burns. But the Cardinals reeled off the next six consecutive points, forcing the Blazers to call timeout. Catholic extended its run to nine in a row and went on to take the first set, 25-15.

Catholic raced out to a 14-5 lead to start set number two and never looked back, using a 25-10 win to go up 2-0 in the match.

The Cardinals maintained the upperhand in set number three as well and after assuming an 11-3 edge, did not allow the Blazers to get closer than six (13-7) the rest of the way.

Kristina Straub put down a team-best five kills to go along with four digs and a pair of aces. Brittany Tribett set up 10 kills and added five digs while Leah Garland and Hawkins finished with two kills apiece. Hawkins and Burns also contributed three blocks apiece while Laura Saad served up a pair of aces. Brittany Lethbridge chipped in five digs and a kill while Chelsea Weaver amassed a match-high 17 digs.

The Blazers next travel to York College (Pa.) Wednesday for a Capital Athletic Conference match at 7 p.m.