The Belmont Abbey volleyball team opened the 2008 season with a thrilling 3-2 come-from behind win over the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears this afternoon at the Catawba College Invitational. Game scores were 25-23, 21-25, 21-25, 25-20 and 15-12.

Crusaders sophomore Emily Frohnapfel, the reigning Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year, led the way with 14 kills and four block assists. Senior Sydney Steffen and sophomore Leanne Cassandra added seven each, while freshmen Bria James and Rebekah Weber added seven and five, respectively. Weber added 19 assists, while Molly Gwaltney led the way with 20.

Defensively, Cassandra added three block assists while Weber added a pair.

The Abbey is back in action tonight at 7:30 when it takes on Fayetteville State.