RICHMOND, Ind. – The Trine University women's volleyball team began their season with a pair of wins at the Earlham College Invitational. They started the day with a convincing sweep of Northland College before defeating Asbury University three sets to one.

The Thunder began the day against the LumberJills were off on the wrong foot from the start, dropping the opening set 25-7. Trine was nearly perfect in the set scoring 15 kills on just one error. The Thunder remained consistently efficient recording just one error in the second and two in the third. They won both of those sets 25-13.

Madison Dominick led the team with nine kills and with four total blocks while also posting three service aces. Anna Zellers led the team with 19 assists along with an impressive six service aces. Cara Wlodarczyk led the defense with 14 digs.

The Eagles were a tougher challenge in the second match of the evening. Trine needed extra points to take the first set 27-25 before taking the second 25-21. Asbury staved off the loss by taking the third set 25-22 before the Thunder responded with their most convincing win of 25-19 in the fourth, securing the 3-1 victory. The team was less efficient in the match, but still recorded double-digit kills in each set.

Julia Maggio led the way with an impressive 18 kills and four blocks in the contest. Catherine Dobies finished second on the team with 10 kills and added an ace. Dominick continued a strong day posting nine kills along with three blocks. Zellers once again led the team in assists, this time 21 and Wlodarczyk came in with 14 more digs.

The Thunder will continue competition at the invitational tomorrow, Saturday, August 31. They start at 1 p.m. with a match against the College of Wooster before finishing with the hosts from Earlham College at 3 p.m.