Lakewood, N.J. - The 2018 Georgian Court University volleyball squad took to the hardwood for the first time Saturday as the Lions hosted a season-opening tri-match vs. Bentley University and West Chester University in the Wellness Center Arena.

GCU got off to a jaunty beginning vs. Bentley in the first match of the afternoon, clipping the Falcons by scores of 25-23 and 25-16 over the first two sets. The Lions were unable to seal the sweep, however, as the Falcons soared with tallies of 25-14 and 25-21 to force a fifth-and-final frame. In a back and forth finale, it would be the home team that would be the last squad standing as GCU outlasted its formidable foe by a score of 17-15 to cement the win.

The game one triumph marks Georgian Court's first victory in the initial contest of the year since dropping Roberts Wesleyan College, 3-0, back on September 5, 2015 in the GCU Lions Invitational.

Peggy Rosario commenced her final collegiate season in grand fashion with a game-best 17 kills, to go along with nine digs and four aces. Aubrey Binkley registered a double-double with 10 kills and 10 digs while Shana Rayside also reached double-digits with 10 kills of her own. Assists were dished evenly as Jaime Sweeney (16), Trilby Kite (15) and Ashley Pierson (14) provided a majority of the helpers at the net.

Dani Milner (Jr.-Plano, Texas) and Kirsten Segaline (So.-Scottsdale, Ariz.) paced the Bentley offense with 15 and 12 kills, respectively. MIlner also added 15 digs to reach double-double status. Xio Lopp (Jr.-Kalispell, Mont.) dished a team-best 23 assists while Krista Campbell (Sr.-Newtown, Pa.) provided 10 aiders and three service aces. Emily Barthelmes (Jr.-Buchanan, N.Y.) controlled 15 digs in the five-setter. 

In the nightcap, the always-talented Golden Rams (2-0) took down the Lions in three-straight, ending the long afternoon of volleyball with scores of 25-17, 25-22 and 25-20. It was the second sweep of the day for West Chester as they dismissed Bentley (0-2) by the same score prior to its match vs. GCU.

Abbie Dischert (Sr.-Wilmington, Del.) soared to a match-high 17 kills. Jillian Grammer (Sr.-Center Valley, Pa.) led all players with her 32 assists while Nicki Yates (Gr.-Coopersburg, Pa.) and Alex Gleason (Sr.-Landenberg, Pa.) settled 12 and 10 digs, respectively.

As for the Lions, Rosario and Grace Fenn led the team with seven kills apiece. Kite contributed 15 assists while Emily McCurley settled under 14 digs in the effort.

GCU returns to the court this Tuesday evening with a 6:00 p.m. non-conference visit to Adelphi University in Garden City, N.Y.