HICKORY, N.C. — The third-ranked Catawba Valley Community College volleyball split its two match ups with ranked teams during the first day of competition at the fifth annual Valley Invitational at the Tarlton Complex on Friday.

The Red Hawks (16-3) saw their 10-match winning streak snapped at the hands of defending DIII national champion in second-ranked Owens (26-3).

However, CVCC rallied to end the day by handing 12th-ranked Division I Wallace State (26-1) its first loss of the season.

No. 2 DIII Owens 3, No. 3 DII Catawba Valley 1

Tied at one set apiece through two sets, the Red Hawks came up short against the Express in a pair of thrilling third and fourth sets in a 3-1 loss on Friday morning.

Set scores were 21-25, 25-17, 25-23 and 26-24.

Meredith Patterson, Emma Clark and Aasia McNeill each tallied 12 kills each to lead CVCC on offense.

Clark added seven blocks on defense, while Bre Myers made a team-best 10 digs. Freshman Amber Barker led Catawba Valley with 20 assists.

No. 3 DII Catawba Valley 3, No. 12 DI Wallace State 1

The Red Hawks remained tough through a pair of early extra-point set wins and held off a late charge from the Lions to give them their first loss of the season.

Set scores were 31-29, 26-24, 20-25 and 25-21.

Emma Clark led the Red Hawks with 15 kills and 10 blocks, while Meredith Patterson also tallied 15 digs and made 18 digs on defense.

Libero Bre Myers made a team-high 22 digs

The Red Hawks return to action on Saturday for the second and final day of the Valley Invitational. CVCC plays traditional rival Pasco-Hernando (Fla.) at 9 a.m. before finishing play with a 1 p.m. match up with Division I Spartanburg Methodist (S.C.).