CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – The first look at the 2020 version of the Campbellsville University women's volleyball team was a positive one as the Lady Tigers earned a 3-1 win over St. Mary of the Woods College Friday night at the Gosser Gymnasium.
 
In the head coaching debut for Rinata Aisena, the Lady Tigers earned set wins in the first, third, and fourth sets by scores of 25-15, 25-16, and 25-13 while also dropping the second set 25-18.
 
As a team, CU had the advantage in almost every statistical category including having significant advantages in kills (49-34), aces (8-4), and assists (44-32). Campbellsville also was more efficient on the attack, finishing the match with a .216 hitting percentage.
 
Junior Sonia Flendrich led the way for the Lady Tigers, finishing with the match-high in kills with 14 on 34 total attacks for a .265 hitting percentage. Redshirt sophomore Sutton Mason led CU in total attacks with 38, finishing with 12 kills as the combination of Mason and Flendrich finished with over half of the team's kills and total attacks.
 
Setter Paige Merrick had a strong stat line on the night finishing with 29 assists while adding seven digs and three kills. Libero Man Chin Fung led Campbellsville in digs with 15 as Flendrich was not far behind with 13 to give the Wroclaw, Poland native a double-double in the exhibition.
 
The middle blocking trio of Stela Velinova, Jalyn Michael, and Taylor Weirich had strong showings as they combined for 12 kills, five block assists. Weirich was particularly effective in limited action as she finished with two kills and three block assists in about a set and a half worth of action.
 
Friday night's match also saw a host of new faces on the floor for the Lady Tigers as five freshmen saw action for Campbellsville against the Pomeroys. Hope Miracle and Taylor Thacker spelled Velinova and Sophie Ball respectively to serve and play in the back row, Zuzanna Lobos rotated in as a front row setter, with MacKenzie Poteet and McKenna Matlock getting some late action towards the end of the fourth set.
 
Campbellsville women's volleyball will be on the court next for a scrimmage against Lindsey Wilson College before officially beginning their 2020 regular season on Oct. 20 with a home match against Asbury College.