Wardian, Benson, Schnacker pace BU in opener

Box Score

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Juniors Maureen Wardian and Kali Schnacker and freshman Annie Benson combined for 35 kills to lead the 17th-ranked Bellevue University volleyball team to a 25-14, 25-11, 25-14 sweep over Mayville State in the season opener for both teams at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center Friday night.

Wardian hit .737 with 14 kills, no errors in 19 attempts. Benson blasted 11 kills on .526 hitting. Schnacker was the third Bruins in double figures with 10 kills on .533 hitting. Junior outside hitter Ashley Wurdeman added nine kills on .500 hitting.

Sophomore Jordan Broady directed the Bruin offense to a scorching .566 hitting percentage, while dishing out 44 assists and adding five kills, four digs and two blocks

Senior libero Katy Gregory anchored the Bruin defense with a match-high 14 digs, while adding two service aces and three assists. Bellevue held the Comets to a .105 hitting percentage, outdigging MSU 39-19, while holding a 4-1 edge in team blocks.

The Bruins trailed early in every set, but went on big runs midway through each set to take commanding double-digit wins in the sweep.

Bellevue (1-0) will travel to Orange City, Iowa next Friday and Saturday, Aug. 27-28, when they compete in the Northwestern Red Raider Classic.