ST. LOUIS, MO (09.03.21) - The No. 13-ranked UT Dallas volleyball team made its anticipated return to the court as the Comet opened up the Bear Invite, hosted by Washington-St. Louis, Friday afternoon.
 
The Comets (0-2) kicked off the event and the fall season with a 3-0 loss to Centre before wrapping up Friday's play with a 3-1 loss against Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
 
UTD returns to action Saturday with two more matches at the Bear Invite before returning. The Comets will face Webster at 10:30 a.m. before squaring off with host Washington-St. Louis at 4:30 p.m.
 
MATCH 1 – CENTRE 3, UTD 0
The Comets had a tough start to the 2021 fall season as they dropped a three-set decision to Centre, 25-20, 25-14, 27-25, to open the Bear Invite.
 
UTD struggled offensively, hitting negative after committed 26 errors to just 23 kills in the match. Allison Owen led the Comets with nine kills along with a pair of blocks while Gabi Sommerfield finished with five kills and three blocks.
 
Setter Sydney Fitt dished out 13 assists while Emma Sevening finished with seven assists.
 
MATCH 2 – UWEC 3, UTD 1
The Comets wrapped up their first day at the Bear Invite with a 3-1 loss to Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 25-17, 25-21, 21-25, 25-21.
 
UTD had a better offensive performance in its second match of the day, hitting .121 as a team, but could not keep pace with the Blugolds. Owen again led the Comets in kills with 11 while Catherine Croft added 10 kills. Abby Jones and Rachel Baxter each tallied 21 digs. Fitt had 19 assists while Sevening added 15 assists. Sommerfield led the Comets with four blocks.