Sept. 2, 2004

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- A balanced offensive attack with six players totaling three or more kills helped lead the Navy volleyball team to a three-game victory over Saint Francis (Pa.) in its season-opening match, Wednesday night in Macdonough Hall. The Midshipmen (1-0) defeated the Red Flash (0-1), 30-17, 30-17, 30-16. "We were very balanced, not only in involving different people on offense, but also in being able to consistently score with our defense," said Navy head coach Mike Schwob. The Mids outhit the Red Flash, .293-.034, and finished with 14 service aces and 11 blocks to Saint Francis' two aces and four team blocks. Beth McArthur (So., Roseville, Minn.) totaled 11 kills and just two errors in 16 attempts to lead the Mids in both kills and with a .562 hitting percentage. Ashley Van Hartesvelt (Sr., Breckenridge, Colo.) totaled five kills, six service aces, a match-high 12 digs and three blocks. "I thought Ashley Musser (Jr., Industry, Pa.) distributed the ball very well tonight," said Schwob. "She really worked the ball around the court." Each of the three games were very similar in that the games were close for the first 15 points or so, then the Mids were able to break things open with a string of points. "We were able to come up with a nice run of points in the middle of each game to give us some breathing room," said Schwob. The Mids will next play four matches this weekend at the North Carolina A&T Lady Aggie Classic in Greensboro, N.C. Navy will face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (2 p.m.) and Savannah State (4 p.m.) Friday, with Saturday matches against tournament-host N.C. A&T (8 a.m.) and Campbell (12 noon).