GOLDEN, Colo. - The Fort Lewis College volleyball team opened its 2010 campaign with nine newcomers and a host of questions for seventh year head coach Shelly Aaland and her young Skyhawks.

Those questions were answered as FLC (2-0 overall) swept through its opponents in the first day of action at the season-opening Marriott/Residence Inn Oredigger Classic.

The Skyhawks defeated Chaminade in four sets (21-25, 25-15, 25-17, 25-17) in the 11 a.m. match, then followed that with a grueling five-set (25-23, 22-25, 20-25, 25-23, 21-19) win over Abilene Christian at 3:30 p.m.

Against Chaminade, FLC used a well-rounded attack that saw three players record double-digit kills: senior middle blocker Taylor Hillberry (13), junior outside hitter Jessica Wilson (12) and senior outside hitter Chelsea Flaming (11). Senior setter Adriana Saiz added 35 assists while helping her team to a .222 hitting efficiency. Freshman defensive specialist Jenna Kinzer added 31 digs, while junior middle blocker Haley Jennings had six kills and a team-leading .308 attack percentage.

The Abilene Christian match provided much more excitement. After winning a tight first set, the Skyhawks dropped the next two to the Wildcats before rallying for a 25-23 win in the fourth set to set the stage for a nail-biting finale. Three times the Skyhawks committed serving errors on game point before ultimately pulling out the victory.

“It's amazing how we competed,” Aaland said. “We kept fighting and just didn't stop playing. It was a great confidence booster for us to start the season.”

She said beating a quality opponent to begin the year was important for her squad. “Abilene Christian is a really solid team that gets better every year,” Aaland said, adding that the Wildcats were picked second in the Lone Star Conference.

Wilson turned in a monster line against Abilene Christian with 20 kills, 18 digs, two blocks and a .220 hitting efficiency. Flaming and Hillberry added 12 kills each, while Jennings had 10 kills and 3 blocks. Kinzler again proved to be a defensive force, recording 27 digs. Freshman right side hitter Hannah Starbuck notched eight kills and a .250 hitting percentage against the Wildcats.

The Skyhawks continue at the Marriott/Residence Inn Oredigger Classic tomorrow with matches against Minnesota St. Moorhead (10 a.m.) and Augustana (4:30 p.m.).