LEXINGTON, Va. -- The Washington and Lee volleyball team began its 2000 season with a pair of victories in the opening round of the W&L Invitational on Friday evening at the Warner Center. W&L defeated Shenandoah University, 15-11, 15-4, 15-9, in the evening's early match, then downed St. Mary's College of Maryland, 15-1, 15-6, 15-4, in the nightcap.

In the opening match, the Generals were led by junior middle blocker Lindsay Ruckert (Metairie, La./Sacred Heart), who totaled 17 kills and seven digs. Senior outside hitter Tori Hays (Littleton, Colo./Arapahoe) notched 10 kills and 13 digs, while senior setter Katherine Kline (Potomac, Md./Holton-Arms School) amassed 22 assists.

The loss dropped Shenandoah to 1-4 on the season.

Against St. Mary's (1-3), the Generals were led again by Ruckert, who totaled 11 kills and four blocks. Junior middle blocker Leslie Fischbeck (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills) added seven kills. Senior setter Pam Saulsbury (Ridgely, Md./North Caroline) led W&L (2-0) with 18 assists, while junior outside hitter Sara Heusel (Ann Arbor, Mich./Novi) provided four kills, four aces, and a team-high 10 digs.

Washington and Lee will face Johns Hopkins Saturday in one semifinal match at 9:30 am, while Catholic will take on St. Mary's at 11:30 am.

Listed below are the results from all the matches in the W&L Invitational today.

W&L d. Shenandoah, 15-11, 15-4, 15-9
St. Mary's d. Shenandoah, 12-15, 15-3, 8-15, 15-9, 15-5
W&L d. St. Mary's, 15-1, 15-6, 15-4
Catholic d. North Carolina Wesleyan, 15-4, 15-2, 15-5
Catholic d. Johns Hopkins, 6-15, 15-6, 10-15, 15-11, 15-13
Johns Hopkins d. North Carolina Wesleyan, 15-8, 15-12, 15-9

--GENERALS--