MANCHESTER, N.H. - The 2009 Saint Anselm volleyball team opened their season today with a tri-match against the Post University Eagles and the Southern New Hampshire University Penmen.  The Hawks (1-1) split today's competition, beating the Eagles (0-3) by a score of 3-1 and losing to the Penmen (3-0) by a score of 3-0.

The Hawks got off to a great start, as they dominated early and took three out of four games from Post.  After winning the first match by a close score of 25-20, they increased their lead in the next game to a strong 25-14.  Their largest lead of the day came in this second game, when they were ahead 20-5.  Charlotte Tencza (Greenfield, Mass.) and Stephanie Devlin (Beverly, Mass.) led the Hawks' offense as they combined for 34 of the team's 49 kills in the match, recording 18 and 16, respectively.  Rachel Flaherty (Cold Spring, N.Y.) led the team with 34 of the team's 44 set assists against the Eagles.

After the first match, the Hawks got to relax as the Eagles took on Southern New Hampshire. The Penmen swept Post with game scores of 25-14, 25-17, and 25-14.  Penman Lauren Lorenz (Frankfort, Ill.) recorded 27 set assists in the match. With the loss, the Eagles fall to 0-3 on the season.

At 2:00 pm, the Hawks returned to the court for the third and final match of the day, as they faced off against their Manchester rivals.  The Hawks did not fare well in today's conclusion, as the Penmen took all three games by scores of 25-19, 25-12, and 25-14.  The Penmen combined for nine blocks in the match.  The Hawks are now 20-13 all-time against Southern New Hampshire.

The Hawks return to action next Sunday, September 13, when they host a tri-match against Saint Michael's and Assumption College beginning at noon.