With a group of fresh new talent and experienced returners, the St. Catherine University volleyball team hoped it could start off the 2015 season with a strong start. Despite falling 3-0 (27-25, 25-18, 26-24) in the opener to the University of Minnesota-Morris, Head Coach Corey Phelps was pleased with the team's solid opening performance Friday evening against the Cougars in Morris, Minnesota. 

"Overall, I was happy with the team's performance," said Phelps. "We lost in three, but played very well. We were up 7-2 and 17-12 in the first set and couldn't hold on. (In the second set), we came out flat and lost another nail-biter in the third 26-24. 

"We competed at a high level and showed signs of the team we're becoming with solid defense and blocking throughout.We have plenty to work on, but we're in a good place." 

The Wildcats' strong defensive performance was led by junior Shanee Herd (Alexandria, Minn./Jefferson) who compiled a match-high 21 digs to anchor the back line. She was helped by Abby Palmer (Pequot Lakes, Minn./Pequot Lakes) who chipped in 11 digs.

First-year setter Hayley Levenhagen (Pewaukee, Wis./Catholic Memorial) was solid on both ends scooping up seven digs and setting up the offense with 17 assists in her first collegiate match. 

Up front, the Wildcats were led by seniors Amber Zeiher (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) and Zoe Barr (River Falls, Wis./River Falls) who each collected eight kills. Zeiher was nearly flawless with an impressive .571 hitting percentage and no attack errors. She also tallied two blocks, while Barr had one block and added to the defensive front with four digs. 

Sophomore Megan Lindenfelser (Nowthen, Minn./Anoka) returned to back up her solid rookie campaign with seven kills, six digs and one block assist. Alyssa Besch (Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview) also had a solid first outing for her senior season with five kills, four digs, two service aces and one block assist to complete the stat line. 

The Cougars boasted two hitters in double-digits with Marissa Ekness recording a match-high 17 kills. Abby Tietz scored the match's lone double-double performance with 14 kills and 18 digs. 

The Wildcat return for day two action of the Morris Tournament Saturday with matches against Bethany Lutheran College and Simpson College scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., respectively. 

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