NEW ORLEANS, La.-- The University of Michigan-Dearborn (2-0) volleyball team opened their season on Friday (Aug. 25) in The Big Easy as they traveled south to Loyola University New Orleans to participate in the Wolfpack Welcome. The Wolverines played twice on the opening day, taking down Bluefield University (VA) 3-1 and Ave Maria (FL) 3-0. Brooke Wetherill paced the Wolverines with 22 kills on the day and a .375 swing percentage. 

Game One: Bluefield (VA) - (25-9,19-25, 25-22, 25-21) 

The Wolverines erupted in the opening set of the season. UM-Dearborn started on a 6-1 run, forcing Bluefield into an early timeout. Bluefield would take their final timeout of the first set as the Wolverines expanded their lead to 16-6 after Wetherill and Regan Rose stuffed the Rams at the net on back-to-back points. The Maize & Blue took the first set 25-9. The Rams would come back to win the second set. Head Coach Eric Stark would settle his veteran team and take the final two sets en route to a 3-1 victory in the regular season opener. Wetherill led the Wolverines with 19 points on 14 kills and 10 block assists. Rose dished out 29 assists and added three kills and five blocks (4 block assists one solo block). Sydney Eggleton and Kielee Tondryk chipped in nine and eight kills a piece. The Wolverine libero, Kenzie Mertz, led both teams with 21 digs. 

Game Two: Ave Maria (FL) - (25-20,25-19,25-21)

The Wolverines had a balanced attack in the nightcap, with three ladies tallying 10 or more points. Wetherill led the Wolverines with 11, while Tondryk and newcomer Marisa Fetterley chipped in 10. The Wolverines had nine aces in the contest, with Fetterley tallying five alone. Rose was dynamite at the net as she dished out 31 assists and led the team with 11 digs. 

The Wolverines are back in action on Saturday (Aug 26) with games against Evangel and Loyola New Orleans at 4 and 6 p.m.