PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Bridgewater State College volleyball team opened the 2009 season with a pair of losses at the Johnson & Wales University Invitational on Friday.

The Bears lost a tough five-game match against Connecticut College, 3-2, and then suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Springfield College.

Springfield is in first-place at the invitational with a perfect 2-0 record while Connecticut College and Johnson & Wales are tied for second with 1-1 marks.

In Bridgewater's opening match, junior outside hitter Julie Clerc (Acushnet, MA) paced the Bears with 10 kills and 6 digs, while junior setter Natalie Cohen (Marstons Mills, MA) added 28 assists.  BSC had a 2-0 lead in the match, but Conn. College bounced back to win the last three games.

In the 3-0 loss to Springfield, Clerc finished with 7 Kills while Cohen tallied 13 assists.

Day two action will get underway on Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m.  The Bears will take on host Johnson & Wales at 10 and will wrap up play versus Keene State at noon.