NORTHAMPTON, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to Colby College in opening round play of the 2011 Hall of Fame Invitational on Friday night at SmitCh College.

Bridgewater drops to 8-16 on the season while Colby improves to 8-12 overall.

Colby won by scores of 25-14, 25-7 and 25-21.

Freshman outside hitter Shannon Holt (Weymouth, Mass.) paced Bridgewater with four kills and 11 digs.  Sophomore setter Melanie Appleman (Hyannis, Mass.) added ten assists, six digs and one ace, while sophomore middle hitter Michelle Atkins (Chelsea, Mass.) notched a pair of kills and five blocks (four solo).  Sophomore libero Kristen Robillard (Swansea, Mass.) chipped in with 13 digs.

Maggie Taylor finished with nine kills and five service aces to lead the Mules, while Mackie Sewall added eight kills.  Colby also received four kills apiece from Caitlin Burchill, Kate Bellerose and Lily Kramlich-Taylor. Kate Pleasants finished with 22 assists, eight defensive digs, and three service aces.

Bridgewater takes on host Smith College at 9:00 AM followed by a 4:00 PM match with MIT.

Colby, which had 16 team services aces in the match, will play against Wheaton College at 10 a.m. Saturday at Mount Holyoke. The Mules then play Mount Holyoke at 2 p.m.