NORTH MANCHESTER, IND. – The hosts put themselves on the brink of getting some strong results Friday, Aug. 29, during day one of the 2014 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference – Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Crossover Challenge.

With first-year head coach Bryndon Paulsen seeking his first win at the helm of the Spartans, MU battled Adrian College nip and tuck over the first two sets in their first of two matches inside Stauffer-Wolfe Arena. They lost the opening set 25-22 and then led late in the second before the Bulldogs rallied back 29-27. Adrian used that momentum to open up a big early lead in the third set en route to the 25-16 victory.

MU was resilient early against Olivet College. The Spartans enthralled their home fans with a 27-25 first set decision. However, a powerful front line attack from the Comets and some tough luck on the home side led Olivet to 25-10, 25-15, 25-14 wins to take the match three sets to one.

The junior-sophomore outside hitter combination of Sarah Pruden (Noblesville, Ind.) and Courtney Chowning (Yorktown, Ind.) led the Manchester University's offense. Pruden finished the first day with 30 kills, while Chowning chipped in 25. Junior setter Mikayla Munn (Elkhart, Ind.) played a big role in their success with 64 assists to the front liners.

MU looks to turn around its fortunes facing Kalamazoo College at 11 a.m. and Trine University at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30. Live statistics for both matches are available at www.muspartans.com, the Internet home of Manchester University.