Ripon, WI - The MLC volleyball team had its season opener on Friday in the form of a doubleheader, where they took on Ripon and Emmaus (IA) at the Ripon College Classic. The Knights managed to take a split in the pair of matches, as Ripon defeated them 3-0 in the first one, while the Knights came back with a 3-0 sweep of their own over Emmaus.

Ripon 3, MLC 0

In the first match, the host school, Ripon earned a 25-15, 25-9, 25-20 sweep of the Knights and recorded a total of 38 kills, 17 of which coming from Makenna Harren.

Junior Ella Walz led MLC with 12 assists, while Anna Kieselhorst picked up eight digs at the Libero position. Lydia Feidt finished with a team-high in kills (8) and blocks (3).

MLC 3, Emmaus 0

The Knights would bounce back strong in the second match, topping Emmaus 25-17, 25-22, 26-24.

MLC went up double-digits in the first set, before Emmaus made a little comeback to make it within four points (20-16). From there, MLC pushed forward with a 5-1 run. The Knights received a challenge in the second and third set, but sealed the deal with the sweep and recorded 18 kills in the final set to give them the edge.

MLC delivered 46 kills in total and the Knights had three players finish with double-digit digs, including Kieselhorst (18), Walz (12), and Ella Slangor. Walz completed the double-double performance with an impressive 31 assists, which gives the setter a new career high in that category. Meanwhile, Feidt paced MLC with another team high in kills (10).

The Knights (1-1) will play two more matches at the Ripon College Classic tomorrow with a 10 a.m. contest versus Aurora (IL) and a match with Saint Mary's (MN) at 2 p.m.