Volleyball struggles during opening weekend

St. Louis- The Fontbonne University women's volleyball team fell to Augustana College (25-15, 16-25, 11-25, 14-25) and Ripon College (25-23, 23-25, 19-25, 22-25) in Rock Island, Ill. today.

Senior Abbie Bergtholdt led the team against Augustana totaling 10 kills and not too far in kill percentage was freshman Emily Weaver. Weaver recorded five kills in her college debut.

Assisting the heavy hitters was sophomore Mandy DeWitt with 13 assists. DeWitt also led the team defensively diggin out 13 Augie attack attempts.

With first game jitters out of the way, the Griffins' freshmen rallied together and gave Ripon a tough four sets. Weaver led the offense this round with 12 kills for a 2-day team high 17 kills. Fellow freshmen Missy Long totaled nine kills at the net and Lynsey Wehrenberg took over, setting 21 assists for the Griffin offense. DeWitt and senior Taryn Ballmann were the defensive backbone.

Fontbonne only totaled seven blocks over the 2013 two-match day opener.

The Griffins stay in Rock Island, Ill. tomorrow to take on Loras College and St. Ambrose College.