WAVERLY - Dropping only one set between them, Wartburg College and Nebraska Wesleyan University of Lincoln, Neb., each picked up two wins during day one of the 2010 Wartburg volleyball Invitational Sept. 10.

The Prairie Wolves, upping their season record to 7-0, rebounded from a second-set loss to Buena Vista University of Storm Lake to win in four sets to open the tourney. The duo of junior outside hitter Kelsey Elman and senior outside hitter Laura Brammeier speared headed the win, registering 26 of the team’s 51 kills. In a clash of highly-touted NCAA Division III programs that concluded the evening’s play, NWU received a stern test from the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s No. 24-ranked St. Mary’s University of Winona, Minn., Cardinals. Head coach Gina Chambers’ team earned 29-27, 25-20 and 27-25 wins. Brammeier and Elman (12 and 10 kills, respectively) were joined by teammate Hannah Behrens, a sophomore middle hitter, (10 kills) in double figures.

Wartburg rolled up a pair of sweeps to move to 6-2 on the season. Head coach Jennifer Walker’s squad defeated Buena Vista and NCAA Division II Maryville University of St. Louis, Mo., during day one. The Knights were tough to handle across the front line with a .293 attack percentage, as sophomore outside hitter Britlyn Sieck (Fayette) (21 kills) went over the 100-kill mark for the year, and junior middle hitter Kamille Van Natta (Readlyn) and freshman middle hitter Kelly Niemann (Fredericksburg) were each above .350 in attack percentage.

St. Mary’s gained the other Friday win, toppling Maryville in three sets. The combination of senior outside hitter Jessica Mate and senior right side hitter Sarah Gardner contributed 30 kills between them.

Saturday’s action begins at 9 a.m. on the courts of Levick Arena and Center Court at the Wartburg-Waverly Sports and Wellness Center.

2010 Wartburg Invitational day one scores

Nebraska Wesleyan def. Buena Vista 25-11, 23-25, 25-10, 25-11
Wartburg def. Buena Vista 25-13, 25-12, 25-15
St. Mary's (Minn.) def. Maryville (Mo.) 25-21, 25-23, 25-18
Nebraska Wesleyan def. St. Mary's (Minn.) 29-27, 25-20, 27-25
Wartburg def. Maryville (Mo.) 25-22, 25-17, 25-15

Saturday, Sept. 11 match schedule