Ripon, Wis. - The Wheaton volleyball team opened its 2018 season on Friday evening with a 3-0 victory against Ripon College in the opening session of the Ripon College Quadrangular. The Thunder won the opening set 25-18, Wheaton picked up a 25-16 victory in the second set and the guests closed out the victory with a 25-22 win in the third set.

Madeline Moore led the Thunder with 12 kills and she added six digs. Senior Kelly Thornton had nine kills with 17 assists. Freshman Colleen Smith tallied six kills, contributed a team-high four service aces with eight digs. Alecia Funk distributed 14 assists and senior Jess Bosse led all players with 19 digs. Deborah Smith was the blocks leader in the match with one solo block and three assisted blocks.

Wheaton will compete in two matches on Saturday in the final day of the event. The Thunder face Marian (Wis.) at 10:00 a.m. and Wheaton's final match on Saturday is a 12:30 p.m. contest against Finlandia.