Washington D.C. -- Senior Zoya Trendafilova (Sofia, Bulgaria/Elisaveta Bagryana) had a near triple-double with 13 kills, 12 digs and nine aces, but it was not enough as the UMBC Volleyball team dropped a five-setter (25-21, 24-26, 23-25, 25-20, 15-13) at George Washington Wednesday night. 

Trendafilova added four blocks while graduate student Megi Dervishi (Tirane, Albania / Mesonjetorja XXI/American) had 12 kills and two blocks in her first start for the Retrievers (14-6, 5-2), who left some key players players at home due to some minor nagging injuries.

"While I thought we competed extremely well with GW, it was just as important to make sure that some of the memebers of the team are well rested," said head coach Ian Blanchard. "I decided to rest a few players who have been with some minor nagging injuries and wanted to provide other athletes an opportunity for some playing time and experience in a non-conference match." 

Sophomore setter Krytsia Negron (San Juan, Puerto Rico/Colegio Adianez) recorded a career-high 39 assists in her first start since early September. 

Sophomore libero Kristin Watson had a match-best 26 digs coming off being named America East Defensive Specialist of the Week for the third time, on Tuesday. 

Sophomore defensive specialist Taylor Alexander (Detroit, Mich./ Detroit Country Day School) finished with career-highs in sets played with five, and digs, 11. Classmate and fellow defensive specialist Allie Stolz (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) added a season-high 10 digs, while junior middle blocker Marissa Duncan (Ellicott City, Md./Mt. Hebron) had seven kills and five blocks in her first start since Septemeber 2.

Freshmen middle blockers Franchesca Reed (Aurora, Colo./Grand View) and Lauren Mortimer (Queen Anne's, Md./Queen Anne's) each had seven kills and added four and seven blocks.

UMBC's next match is on Sunday when it hosts three-time defending America East champion New Hampshire at 1 p.m. The match will be streamed live on UMBCRetrievers.TV.