Fayette, Mo. – The Central Methodist University volleyball team opened the 2020 campaign with a pair of wins against Ottawa and Southwestern on Saturday afternoon inside Puckett Fieldhouse.

The Eagles took the opening match over the Braves in three sets, 25-22, 25-20, and 25-15. CMU then concluded the triangular with a three-set sweep over Southwestern College, 25-18, 25-12, 25-13 in the nightcap. It marks the third straight year CMU has opened up its season with a 2-0 record.

Against Ottawa, both Callie Henson and Annabelle Maassen recorded double-digit kills, collecting 14 and 12 respectively. Sophomore Krystal Brauner led the defense with 16 digs and both Maassen and Elise Hardesty-Irvin collected 10. Hardesty-Irvin also recorded a game-high 29 assists, giving her a double-double.

In the final match of the evening against the Moundbuilders, CMU finished with a .290 hitting percentage as a squad, compared to just 0.064 for Southwestern. Brauner once again collected double-digit digs with 14. Grace Stumbaugh picked up three blocks and Rebecca Neighbors recorded two.

Southwestern committed 23 errors compared to 10 for the Eagles.

Central Methodist will head out on the road for their first matchup in Heart of America Athletic Conference play, facing Heart newcomer Park University Tuesday, Sept. 15 in Parkville, Mo.

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