WINCHESTER, Va. - Shenandoah University opened up its 2010 USA South Conference volleyball schedule with a 3-0 sweep of Ferrum College Wednesday afternoon.

The Hornets (5-1, 1-0 USA South) needed just 48 minutes to dispatch the Panthers (0-6, 0-1), winning at 12, 20 and 13.

The win over FC is also the first for Shenandoah since October 19, 2005. Ferrum had won the last nine matches between the two schools.

SU dominated play throughout Wednesday's match, leading throughout and never allowing the Panthers to get into any sort of rhythm. FC had the lead just four times in the match, and only once in the opening two sets.

On serve receive to start the match, the Hornets scored the initial point on a Mary Harshman kill off of a Kelcy Brown assist and then proceeded to reel off nine of the game's next 12 points to force a Ferrum time-out.

The break did not have its desired effect - SU went on a 9-3 run to lead 19-6 as the Panthers took their second and final time-out of the set.

Three straight points, the last earned on defense, gave the hosts the opening set.

Ferrum scored the opening point of the set, but another big Shenandoah run, this one 10 of 14, but the Hornets in front to stay.

SU held at least a three-point advantage throughout the set before finishing it off with a second 3-0 run.

The two teams traded the first eight points of the third and final set before Shenandoah seized control with a 9-1 run to lead 14-5 midway through the set.

The hosts closed out the match by scoring eight of the final 10 points.

Harshman paced the offense with 10 kills and also chipped in a match-high nine digs.

Kayla Trippeer had eight kills for the Panthers.

The Hornets continue USA South play on Friday with a tri-match at Averett against the host Cougars and Methodist.

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