LEXINGTON, Va. -- The Washington and Lee volleyball team began its 2006 season with a pair of wins in the opening day of the W&L Invitational on Friday evening at the Warner Center. The Generals opened with a 30-19, 30-21, 30-15 victory over Southern Virginia, then downed Averett by a score of 30-20, 30-23, 30-18.

In the win over Southern Virginia (3-5), the Generals were paced by junior right side Jess Hudock (Tampa, Fla./Holy Names), who tallied seven kills, nine digs and four blocks. Freshman outside hitter Katie Dunphy (The Woodlands, Texas/The Woodlands) notched five kills and six digs, while senior libero Lauren Edmonson (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge) posted nine digs and two service aces. Junior setter Lauren Rudolph (Ft, Wayne, Ind./Concordia Lutheran) and freshman setter Megan Steinhardt (Cedar Park, Texas/Cedar Park) each recorded 11 assists.

In the victory over Averett (7-1), W&L was led by sophomore outside hitter Laura Maurer (Sparta, N.J./Pope John XXIII), who had 10 kills. Freshman setter Kristi Stevens (Overland Park, Kan./Shawnee Mission South) registered 16 assists and eight digs, while Hudock notched 12 digs and four kills. Sophomore outside hitter Alex Scaggs (West Chester, Pa./Unionville) and sophomore right side Jessica Ulrich (Gettysburg, Pa./Gettysburg Area) each tallied eight kills and Rudolph recorded 12 assists.

Washington and Lee returns to the court on Saturday at 1:00 pm in the second day of the W&L Invitational. The Generals will face McDaniel College in their first match of the day.

DAY ONE RESULTS
W&L d. Southern Virginia, 30-19, 30-21, 30-15
W&L d. Averett, 30-23, 30-21, 30-18
McDaniel d. Southern Virginia, 30-20, 30-23, 30-24
Averett d. UVA-Wise, 28-30, 30-26, 30-23, 30-23
McDaniel d. UVA-Wise, 30-26, 30-20, 25-30, 30-26

-- GENERALS --