NORTON, Mass. – The Wheaton College volleyball team opened the 2021 season with a 3-1 victory over visiting Bridgewater State University on Wednesday night at the Hass Athletic Center.

The Lyons (1-0) won the first two sets, 25-18 and 25-21, before the Bears (0-1) bounced back with a 27-25 decision in set three. Wheaton secured the match with a 25-17 victory in the fourth set.

Senior outside hitter Adara Hamilton (Mercer Island, Wash.) paced the hosts with a match-best 15 kills in addition to six digs, while senior right side Emily Hickey (Kennebunk, Maine) added nine kills. Sophomore setter Zoe Franz (Noblesville, Ind.) and junior setter Hannah George (Duxbury, Mass.) combined for 39 assists, and junior defensive specialist Sophie Wilhelm (Saunderstown, R.I.) checked with a team-high four aces.

The Bears were led by senior middle hitter Sydney Rice (Medway, Mass.). Rice notched six kills and posted a .667 hitting percentage to go along with a solo block and a match-high six aces. Sophomore outside hitter Abigail Reardon (Fairhaven, Mass.) tallied a team-best eight kills while senior right side Becca Whalen (Plymouth, Mass.) added five kills and junior setter Savannah Quintal (Assonet, Mass.) and sophomore setter Bethany Votta (Cumberland, R.I.) combined for 22 assists. Freshman middle hitter Saadia Reid (Bridgewater, Mass.) and sophomore middle hitter Amber Arruda (Swansea, Mass.) each finished with four kills and two solo blocks.

Five student-athletes in the Bears' lineup were making their BSU debuts including Reardon, Votta, Reid and Arruda as well as junior defensive specialist Allison Raposo (Cumberland, R.I.).

The Lyons finished with a .348 hitting percentage and assisted on 49 of their 53 kills. Wheaton also notched 39 digs, three blocks and eight aces while committing 14 serving errors.

The Bears assisted on 31 of their 33 kills and finished with a .190 hitting percentage. Bridgewater State also notched 11 aces, 32 digs and six blocks.

Both teams are back in action on Saturday at noon. The Bears entertain Lesley University, while the Lyons travel to Roger Williams University for a tri-match with the host Hawks and Salve Regina University.