Center Valley, PA (August 30, 2013) – Freshman Lauren Hess made quite a first impression totaling 31 kills over two matches, including 25 in a five-set win over local rival Muhlenberg College to lead the Bulldogs to two wins in the first day of its own opening weekend tournament on Friday evening in Billera Hall.

Hess garnered oohs and aahs from the home crowd with just some of her warm-up attacks and didn't disappoint in either match.  In the opener, DSU (2-0) eased past Albright College, 3-0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-20), as all 17 players in uniform saw action in the match.

Senior Madeline Svrcek had a team-high seven kills and added 10 digs, junior Amanda Wallitsch finished with 12 digs, graduate student Justine McNulty added four kills and 15 assists, junior Chrissy Banos finished with five kills and three blocks and Hess added five kills.  Senior Macy Farrell also played well with four kills and a .400 hitting percentage.

In the nightcap, DSU rolled past the Mules in the first set, 25-14, before faltering late in sets two and three losing 25-22 and 25-23.  The Bulldogs rallied with a 25-20 win in set number four and shook off a slow start to the fifth set with a 15-11 win.

Hess was outstanding totaling 25 kills and hitting .388.  Svrcek added 10 kills and had 15 digs, while Wallitsch finished with 23 digs on defense.  McNulty dished out 43 assists and had 19 digs and junior Nicole Morin finished with 12 digs and three service aces.  Freshman Arielle Nicholson contributed with six kills and two blocks in the win.

The Bulldogs return to action tomorrow when they host Ithaca College and Cabrini College in the final two matches of the weekend tournament at Noon and 2:00 pm.