PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Competing at the University Athletic Association championships at Carnegie Mellon University today, the Brandeis volleyball team dropped its first two pool play matches and fell behind in the third before rallying to finish 1-2 in pool-play action.

In their final match of the night, the Judges dropped the first two games against the University of Chicago, 24-30, 28-30, before coming back to defeat the Maroons, 3-2. The Judges took game three, 30-26, and were pushed to the brink in game four before claiming a 31-29 victory. Coach Michelle Kim's squad closed out the match with a 15-11 victory to earn third place in Pool A and a match with Pool B fourt-place finisher Case in the consolation bracket tomorrow.

Against the Maroons, Brandeis was led by rookie middle blocker Piera Carfagno (Los Angeles, Calif.), who registered 19 kills to go with five blocks and five service aces. Classmate and fellow middle Bridget McAllister (Santa Clara, Calif.) recorded a double-double with 12 kills and 11 digs. She also had six blocks to lead the team. Sophomore outside hitter Becca Schwartz (Newcastle, N.H.) had 16 kills, while sophomore setter Violette Ruggiero (Paradise Valley, Ariz.) totalled a season-high 65 assists.

Earlier in the day, the Judges opened against NYU, and suffered a 3-0 loss, 25-30, 24-30, 26-30. The Violets are ranked No. 19 in the nation. Sophomore outside hitter Lorraine Wingenbach (Buffalo, N.Y.) was the offensive star in that match with nine kills, while junior libero Shannon Trees (Savannah, Ga.) had a team-high nine digs. In the day's second match, Brandeis lost to No. 14 Emory University, 3-0, 23-30, 13-30, 14-30, despite seven kills, nine digs and three blocks from McAllister.