MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Martin Luther College volleyball finally saw its season open with a 3-1 win (20-25, 25-13, 25-20, 25-15) at North Central University (NCU) in non-conference action on Saturday. 

The Knights started slow as nine attack errors helped NCU take the first set 25-20, but MLC started to dial in its attack as the match went along.

After a dominating 25-13 second set win, MLC closed out the Rams with wins in the third and fourth games to win the match.

MLC finished the match with an attack efficiency of .139 compared to just .033 for NCU. The Knights also recorded 11 service aces and eight total blocks.

Kelsey Birschbach led MLC with 11 kills and added four aces, three blocks and 12 digs, while Rhianna Hunter (nine kills), Hannah Willems (seven kills) and Paige Biesterfeld (seven kills) were also strong on the attack.

Kylie Wolf led the team with 20 assists to go with 13 digs, while Kate Aswege recorded a team-best 15 digs. Willems also had a strong match defensively with five blocks, including two solo blocks.

MLC improved to 1-0 on the season with the win, while NCU fell to 0-1.

The Knights will return to action on Thursday, March 4, when they travel to Crown College for one final non-conference tune-up match. That match is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.