DEARBORN, Mich. -- A balanced attack powered the Goshen College women's volleyball team to its first sweep of the season Friday, but a four-set defeat in the nightcap left the Maple Leafs to settle for a split of two matches on day one of the Michigan-Dearborn Early Bird Challenge.

Jennifer Ritchie led all players with 8 kills, one of four Maple Leafs to register at least 6, in an opening sweep of Bluefield College. Taylor Eash added 7 winners while Elizabeth Breckbill and Haylee Pennington recorded 6 apiece. Eash and Breckbill each recorded 3 blocks.

After pulling out a 25-22 opening set, Goshen (2-4) had 7- and 9-point runs in the second stanza on its way to a 25-8 win in the most lopsided victory since 2017. While the margin was smaller, Goshen never trailed in the third set after a 4-0 start.

Ally Roehr led GC with 21 assists; Courtney Trusty added 19 digs and Ritchie 15.

In their second match, the Maple Leafs split the first two sets for the first time this season, dropping the lid-lifter 25-19 to Point Park University before rebounding to win the second 25-13. PPU (2-0) finished off the match with 25-19 and 25-21 wins.

Each team finished the match with 51 kills on 158 attacks and 2 aces, while Goshen held a 7-1 edge in the blocks column led by Breckbill with 4.

Pennington paced the Maple Leafs with 14 kills, one more than Ritchie, who also posted her fifth double-double of the season with 12 digs. Tessa Clark added 20 digs and Roehr had 37 assists.

The Pioneers put three players into double figures in kills, led by Madison Sima and Taylor Small with 11 apiece.

Goshen concludes the Early Bird Challenge with another pair of matches Saturday, squaring off with host Michigan-Dearborn at 9 a.m. and Mount Marty at 2 p.m.