GAME STATS 1 | GAME STATS 2 La Verne, Calif. – The Wheaton volleyball team (0-2) opened its 2014 schedule on Friday with a pair of matches at the Pacific Coast Classic. Today's matches were hosted on the campus of University of La Verne. The Thunder will conclude the tournament on Saturday with two matches at Pomona-Pitzer in Claremont, Calif.

Wheaton faced seventh-ranked Cal Lutheran in the season opener. Cal Lutheran topped the Thunder 3-0 with a 25-23, 25-18 and 25-15 victory. Shelby Knowles led the Thunder with 12 kills and 18 digs. Andy DeMoss tallied six kills and Samantha Hedlund collected 12 digs. Ashley Torok distributed 19 assists in the win.

Wheaton faced the host Leopards of La Verne in Friday's second match. La Verne earned a 3-0 win with scores of 25-23, 25-19 and 25-13. Knowles again led Wheaton with 15 kills, adding two service aces and 11 digs. Kelli Manning recorded a team-high 14 digs and Torok had 14 assists in the match.

Head coach Brittany Smith noted of today's contests, "While the team started off with great defense and solid effort at the net, we just couldn't sustain our play in either match. It was great to see what we need to improve as we play nationally-ranked competition, and we are looking forward to having another opportunity tomorrow afternoon. I am confident the players will respond with good energy and focus."

When the tournament resumes on Saturday, Wheaton will face Chapman University at 1:15 p.m. (PDT). The final match of the day at Pomona-Pitzer will feature the Thunder versus Pomona-Pitzer at 3:30 p.m.