DALLAS – Sophia Poehlein began her collegiate career by leading the Falcons in kills, but the Bentley volleyball team lost its 2024 season-opener at Dallas Baptist, 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-18). The contest was part of the Dallas Baptist Tournament.

Poehlein, a freshman from Zionsville, Indiana, put away eight kills for the Falcons, and Caitlin Wunder added seven. Elizabeth Blinn finished with a match-high four blocks.

The evening got off to a promising start for Bentley when it jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first. A service ace by Blinn capped off the early run. Dallas Baptist quicky responded to take an 8-7 lead.

The teams want back and forth for the rest of the set, neither leading by more than three points. The Falcons were in a 22-21 deficit, but turned the score into their favor with a kill by Tory Vitko followed by a DBU error. However, DBU was able to close out the set with a 3-0 run.

The second set was once against closely contested, neither team leading by more than three points until DBU took a 17-13 lead. The Patriots appeared to be in control with a 23-18 advantage, but the Falcons put together a 3-0 run. It started with a kill by Poehlein, followed by a Poehlein ace, and then a DBU error. Still, the late run wasn't enough for Bentley in the second set.

The Falcons have two matches Friday, Sept. 6 - a rematch against Dallas Baptist at 1:30 p.m., and a contest against East Central at 5:30 p.m.