COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Albion College volleyball team opened its season with four-set losses to a pair of non-league rivals from the state of Ohio. Denison University defeated Albion 25-20, 20-25, 25-21, 25-5 and Capital University defeated Albion 25-20, 21-25, 25-23, 25-19.

Halle Thom was Albion's top hitter. She produced 21 kills, including 13 against Capital. Thom hit .243 against Capital with four errors in 37 attacks. Caitlin McClorey added 10 kills against Capital. McClorey knocked down two kills and Krisin Yeager served up an ace as Albion pulled away for a 19-16 lead in the second set against Capital.

Albion led by as many as six in the third set against Capital. A Crusader ball handling error extended Albion's lead to 16-10. Albion still led 18-13, but Capital went on a run to tie the score at 20. The Crusaders ripped off three consecutive points to build a 23-21 lead and they went on to win the set for a 2-1 lead in the match.

Thom collected eight kills, and Jalyn Ingalls had six against Denison.

Albion will complete its weekend trip to Ohio with Saturday matches against Kenyon College and Otterbein University.