The Oglethorpe University volleyball team started their season this past weekend by winning two matches on Friday and dropping two close contests on Saturday. The 2-2 weekend record was good for third place overall in the eight team tournament deemed "The Oglethorpe Classic."

In the first day of the tournament, Oglethorpe took down Guilford College in straight sets, 31-29, 30-18, 30-22. Freshman setter Alison Burt led the way for the Petrels, nearly recording a rare triple-double by posting 8 kills, 8 digs and 31 assists. Senior outside LaToya McCants and sophomore right side Mallory Thomson punctuated the Petrel attack with 14 and 11 kills respectively. Flawless in receiving service, senior Katie Kelly chipped in with 11 digs and 3 service aces.
 
In the nightcap, Oglethorpe handled cross-town rival Agnes Scott in straight sets, 30-18, 30-15, 30-26 in a match that featured twelve of the fourteen team members receiving significant game action. LaToya McCants led the Petrel attack with 15 kills while high-flying freshman Candace Ward slammed down 11 more. Alison Burt continued to impress with 4 kills, 9 digs and 8 assists.
 
Though the Petrels lost both of their matches on the second day of the tournament, their performance against eventual tournament winner North Central College left coach Norman with plenty of optimism. While the team went down in straight sets, their exceptional defense along the front lines kept them in the match and bodes well for the future.
 
Also a harbinger of a brighter future was the outstanding all-around performance by freshman Alison Burt that earned her a spot on the All-Tournament team. For the weekend, Alison averaged 7.50 assists per game to go along with 2.25 digs and 2.00 kills per game. She also led the team with 7 service aces in four matches.
 
The Petrels will be back in action on Wednesday night when they take on LaGrange College in the Dorough Field House at 7pm