WINCHESTER, Va. - Shenandoah University opened up its 2011 volleyball season with a 3-0 non-league victory over Hood College Saturday morning.

The Hornets (1-0) won at 12, 17 and 19 to earn a season-opening victory for the second time in as many years over the Blazers (0-1).

Shenandoah held HC to a negative hitting percentage as Hood committed 20 errors in 81 attempts and had just 18 kills.

SU had 31 kills in the three-set match, including nine by Mary Harshman and seven from Megan Gillispie.

Junior Kelcy Brown and sophomore Brooke Strathy fueled this attack with 17 and 11 assists, respectively.

Strathy's final assist, to classmate Haley Smith, ended the match.

Defensively, Harshman had 11 of the team's 40 digs.

Ashley Whaley and Hayley Rogers both had four kills for Hood.

The Hornets complete the day today with a 3:00 match against future ODAC opponent Randolph.

###