Whitewater, Wis. – The Thunder volleyball team opened the 2009 season this weekend at the UW-Whitewater Invitational. Wheaton finished third in the tournament posting a 2-2 record.

On Friday, Wheaton dropped its first match with a 3-0 loss (25-16, 25-15, 25-20) to Bethel (Minn.). Freshman setter Cassie Murphy distributed 23 assists. Sophomore Sarah McWilliams recorded 11 kills and freshman Hannah Velling tallied six kills in her collegiate debut.

Wheaton closed out Friday's action with a 3-0 victory (25-21, 25-12, 25-13) against Marian (Wis.). Murphy had 33 assists and senior Ashlie Pace had five service aces. Sophomore Paige Narr had a team-high 12 kills and junior Abby Huebner added seven kills.

On Saturday the Thunder dropped a 3-0 decision (25-15, 25-10, 25-14) to UW-Whitewater. McWilliams had a team-high nine kills in the loss.

Wheaton closed out the tournament with a 3-1 win (22-25, 25-20, 29-27, 25-11) against Marian in the third-place match. Murphy distributed 40 assists and tallied four service aces. McWilliams added 12 kills for the 'Orange and Blue'.