ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. - Conference play started with a bang for the Gallaudet University women's volleyball team as the Bison rallied down 2-1 to win a five-set United East match over St. Mary's College of Maryland on the road Wednesday night.

Gallaudet (17-3, 1-0 Volt Division) fell behind early as St. Mary's (7-11, 0-1 Volt Division) won the first set, 21-25, before the Bison regrouped and took the second set, 25-20, to knot the match at one apiece. The Seahawks clipped the Bison in the third set, 20-25, to take a 2-1 lead going into the fourth set. GU flexed its muscle and outscored St. Mary's, 40-18 over the next two sets as the Bison won; 25-12 and 15-6.

Senior outside hitter Natalie Clayberg (Pella, Iowa) led the Bison with 16 kills and 13 digs while junior opposite Cassidy Perry (Frederick, Md.) recorded 15 kills and six block assists. GU made 11 blocks in the match as Perry and first-year Jada Zarembka (Riverside, Calif.) led the way. Zarembka finished with a match-high nine blocks (one solo) to go with seven kills. Junior setter Ella Gamble (Cullowhee, N.C.) passed out 42 assists and made four service aces while senior defensive specialist Leila Sicoli (Austin, Texas) came through with 20 digs. 

St. Mary's was paced by Grace Caudell's 10 kills and Julia Bobrowski's 21 digs and eight kills in the loss.

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GU will travel to Penn St.-Abington (8-9) this Friday, Oct. 6, at 6 p.m.