The American University volleyball team opened its 2012 season in front of a standing room only crowd on Friday night as 2,483 fans packed Bender Arena for the sixth annual Bender Blue Out. The great energy and atmosphere were not enough to lift the Eagles to a win, however, as they fell to Georgetown, 3-0, in their first match of the D.C. Volleyball Challenge.

The crowd of 2,483 set a new Washington, D.C. collegiate volleyball attendance record, eclipsing the previous mark of 2,122 set at last year's Bender Blue Out. American has broken the record five times in the last six years.

Kelly McCaddin led the Eagles with nine kills as Kylann Scheidt posted three kills, 22 assists, eight digs and three blocks in her first game for American (0-1). Allison Cappellino had a team-high 15 digs in the match, adding two service aces.

Georgetown (1-0) was led by Alex Johnson who tallied a double-double with 19 kills and 12 digs on the night. Lauren Saar and Dani White each added seven kills as the Hoyas outhit American .183 to .085.

American was able to tie the first set three times before the Hoyas were able to edge out the Eagles for the 25-19 win. Georgetown went up 8-2 early in the second set before American came back within one, 16-15. The two teams traded scores but Georgetown was able to tally five straight points to take the second set, 25-19. The third set went back-and-forth as the score was tied 10 times with three lead changes. American took a 15-12 lead off a kill from McCaddin but Georgetown came back to tie the set at 17 and were able to pull away for a final score of 25-19.

The D.C. Volleyball Challenge will resume Saturday, August 25 with George Mason and Georgetown squaring off at 1 p.m. before the Eagles take on George Mason at 7 p.m. Both matches will be played in Bender Arena. American's game will be broadcast live on Eagles Vision TV.