HICKORY - The University of Mount Olive women's volleyball team fell in straight sets to the Florida Tech Panthers, opening its 2025 season at the Lenoir-Rhyne Invitational Friday afternoon.

The Trojans began its new era under head coach Kevin Troup, who replaced former head coach Emma Celentano after two decades behind the helm for the Trojans. Troup comes to UMO after seven seasons at Division III Greensboro College.

Breanna Reisinger, Olivia Melvin, and Caroline Sheaffer led the charge against a Panthers team that held as high as a 25 seed ranking last season in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Coaches' Poll.

A senior outside hitter from Pittsburg, Pa., Reisinger captured an all-around performance behind seven kills, three digs, two service aces and two block assists. She was joined by Olivia Melvin, the 2024 Conference Carolina Freshman of the Year, who totaled seven kills.

The Trojans' leader in digs last season, Sheaffer, picked off right where she started from last year, posting a game-high 15 digs. 

The Panthers won behind an 18-kill performance by 2024 AVCA First Team All-American Cordelia Kearns.

UMO will battle against hosts Lenoir-Rhyne tomorrow at 10 a.m., before facing the Catawba Indians at 4 p.m. to finish the LR Invitational.