Women's Volleyball wins season-opener

St. Louis, Mo. - While Fontbonne women's volleyball didn't get to open their 2015 season at home, the Griffins weren't far away. The team traveled to Webster University tonight to open up against Robert Morris - Springfield (RMU), sweeping their season opener to a win. The Griffins then fell to Rose-Hulman to end the night.

With half the team being new and several younger players earning starting positions, Fontbonne took down RMU 25-21, 25-22 and 25-22. Returning All-Conference performer Kersten McDonough recorded her team's high 12 kills against the Eagles, but senior Carissa Dodge put down six kills in the middle, ending the game with a .500 hitting percentage. Maddie Stadler and Mariana Rogers carried the team in the backfield with 17 and 12 digs respectively.

In their loss to Rose-Hulman, Fontbonne won the second set 25-19, but the set wasn't without their troubles for both teams. The Griffins were winning 20-8 at one point when Rose-Hulman decided to try and mount a comeback. Fontbonne was able to hold on for that win. The third set seemed to have turned the tables with Rose-Hulman getting out to a quick 7-2 lead. Fontbonne tied the set 9-9 until Rose-Hulman closed it out with a 16-2 run.

McDonough scored 12 more kills for the Griffins. Kristina Eason recorded nine kills in her second collegiate route, earning the best hitting percentage for Fontbonne during the final game of the night. Stadler recorded 22 digs in the loss with McDonough adding 11 as well. Setting Lynsey Wehrenberg found herself in a different position against Rose-Hulman, digging out 17 attack attempts, spreading her usual duties to various teammates throughout the match.

Multiple times, Rogers got the Griffins out of a jam. The junior pancaked several would-be kills for her opponents, livening fans who ventured down Big Bend for the first game of the year.

Fontbonne travels to Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Ill. this holiday weekend for four games. Please utilize this link for updated game times and live stat links throughout the weekend. Fontbonne's home-opener is Tuesday, Sept. 8th at 7pm against St. Louis College of Pharmacy.