(Allentown, Pa.) – The Dickinson women's volleyball team turned in two strong performances, but suffered a pair of setbacks on day one of the Buttermaker Invitational at Muhlenberg College.

DeSales University improved to 6-1 on the year, topping the Red Devils (25-15, 25-18, 27-25). Junior Lauren Ahern (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown West) tallied seven kills and a pair of aces while Lauren Beecher (Mansfield, Mass./Mansfield) added six kills.

Sophomores Gillian Chan (Poly Prep Country Day) and Norma Jean Park (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge) combined for 11 kills with Chan adding four blocks in the opening match.

First-year setter Hannah Smith (Victor, N.Y./Victor) dished out 22 assists and tallied seven digs. Senior Emily Smith (Victor, N.Y./Victor) recorded 10 digs while junior Arielle Misrok (Ardsley, N.Y./Ardsley) added nine digs.

In the nightcap, the Devils battled with Neumann University through five sets with the Knights surviving in the fifth frame, 16-14. Neumann won the opening set, 25-23 but the Devils answered in the second, 25-19. The teams traded 25-18 scores in the third and fourth sets, forcing a deciding fifth.

The Knights gained just enough separation at the end to claim the match, 16-14.

Ahern led the Devils again, recording 11 kills, three blocks and a pair of aces. Park added 11 kills as well, turning back six blocks on the night. Erin Bongo (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Knolls) chipped in with nine kills, three aces and 10 digs. Beecher recorded seven kills and three blocks.

Misrok picked up 25 digs while the Smith sisters each added 13. Park and Chan each had five kills and six blocks.

The Red Devils slip to 3-5 on the season. They draw Stevenson University on Saturday, scheduled for a 12:00 pm start.