MARION, Ind. — Campbellsville defeated Trinity Christian and Judson University today on Day 1 of the Indiana Wesleyan Invitational to secure women's volleyball's best start to a season since 2013.
 
The Lady Tigers downed Trinity Christian 3-1 and swept Judson 3-0 for a 5-2 start through the first seven matches of 2016. In 2013, CU had a 6-1 start on its way to a 24-7 record.
 
Campbellsville 3, Trinity Christian 1 (25-22, 24-26, 25-21, 25-16)
 
The first three sets were very close, back and forth, with not much separation. In the first set, CU pulled away from a 22-all tie to win 25-22. 
 
In the second, CU trailed 6-1 and 12-6, before taking a lead. The Lady Tigers held set point at 24-21 before struggling with passing and eventually losing 26-24.
 
Campbellsville answered with a quick burst in the third set, taking a 3-0 lead, keeping the lead throughout the set.
 
The Lady Tigers (4-2) dominated the fourth set from the beginning and sealed the match, 25-16.
 
Annija Abolina led the team with 14 kills and was supported by Maria Coelho's 10. Julia Fonseca narrowly missed double figure kills with nine and Katie Johnson added seven.
 
Three players had double-figure digs, led by Jessie Pendleton's 29. Jessie Stone had 20 and Inoa Fields 19. Fields had 43 of the team's 50 assists. Fields also had two service aces. Savannah Moss and Stone each had nine digs.
 
CU hit a whopping .363, with Coelho and Abolina leading the way at .500 and .464.
 
Trinity Christian (3-5), which extended No. 7 Georgetown to five sets, was led by Kacie Stoll's 11 kills. Michelle Busscher had 22 digs and Tori Mantel set up 32 assists.
 
Campbellsville 3, Judson 0 (25-17, 25-23, 25-17)
 
CU (5-2) trailed most of the first set until tying it at 11 and then took over the set and never looked back against Judson (2-7).
 
In set two, the Lady Tigers trailed until 20-20 and then scored two to take lead 22-20. They finished on a 5-1 run.
 
CU led 8-0 and 11-1 in the third set, taking total control of the match.
 
Katie Johnson led a balanced attack with 11 kills. Maria Coelho, Annija Abolina and Julia Fonseca had 10, eight and six, respectively.
 
Inoa Fields picked up 36 assists and 14 digs. Campbellsville was solid in the dig department, with Jessie Pendleton (26), Johnson (12), Savannah Moss (10) providing double-figure support. Abolina had two service aces.
 
The Lady Tigers take on host Indiana Wesleyan at noon Saturday, Sept. 3 and Taylor University at 5 p.m. to complete their four matches in the two-day invitational.
 
You can follow Lady Tiger Volleyball through Twitter @CvilleTigers and @CUTigerVball, on Facebook at Campbellsville Tigers and on the web at www.campbellsvilletigers.com.