RIPON, Wis. – Sophomore Maria Bintz had a strong all-around match in the opener as the MSOE women's volleyball team dropped a pair of matches on the first day of the Red Hawk Invitational at Wyman Gymnasium.

The Raiders (5-6) battled St. Mary's (Minn.) for four sets in the opening match, pushing the final frame to 33-31 before falling. They then returned to the court and dropped a three-setter against UW-River Falls.

Bintz's performance against the Cardinals was the highlight of the day, as she narrowly missed a triple-double. She finished with 16 kills, eight blocks and 15 digs in the match. MSOE took the opening set 25-17, but dropped the next sets 25-9, 25-19 before the dramatic final frame 33-31.

Against UWRF, junior Leah Hendricks led the way with 10 kills as the Raiders fell 25-17, 25-19, 25-18.

The Red Hawk Invitational continues Saturday. MSOE plays UW-Superior and Dubuque.