Whitewater, Wis. (9/2) – The Thunder volleyball team opened its season this weekend at the Wisconsin-Whitewater Invitational. The Thunder split its two matches on Friday, the tournament's opening day, with a loss in the first match and winning the second.

Wheaton won the first two games of its first match, however, Wisconsin-River Falls pulled out the 3-2 victory (16-30, 22-30, 30-22, 30-25, 11-15). Sophomore Kelli Miller led the Thunder with 19 kills, Mallory Sullivan added 14 kills and Lisa Jutsum collected eight kills. Sophomore setter Annie Himmelhaver recorded 49 assists in the victory.

Wheaton defeated Aurora 3-1 (21-30, 30-21, 30-20,30-25) in Friday's second match. Sullivan led the Thunder with 17 kills, Miller added 16 kills and Jutsum recorded 11. Himmelhaver continued her strong play with 53 assists.

On Saturday Baldwin-Wallace topped the Thunder 3-0 (30-21, 30-21, 30-24). Miller had a team-high 11 kills and Sullivan added 10. Sullivan and junior Leah Whiteley each recorded 18 digs and Himmelhaver added 39 assists.

In Wheaton's final match of the tournament, defending National Champion Wisconsin-Whitewater defeated the 'Orange and Blue' 3-1 (30-23, 25-30, 25-30, 30-14, 30-20). Jutsum had a team-high 10 kills and Himmelhaver had 32 assists. Whiteley led Thunder with 20 digs and Calla Young recorded five service aces.