GUNNISON – Western State Colorado University women's volleyball team opened up play at the 2016 Oredigger Classic with two sweeps of St. Cloud State University and California State University Los Angeles. Western takes on Dallas Baptist University and No. 6-ranked Wayne State College tomorrow afternoon to close out the tournament.
 
The Mountaineers opened up the tournament win a 28-26 win over St. Cloud. The team followed up with a 27-25 win and a 25-20 closer. Tori Gaherty, Jordan Eatwell and Maria Agazio led the high powered offense with 14, 10 and nine kills apiece, respectfully. Setter Allison Walker led the offense, dishing out 37 assists. Gaherty also accounted for four aces.
 
Defensively, Amanda Maestas continued right where she left off last season, leading the team with 19 digs.
 
The second match went the same way, with Gaherty leading with 14 kills. She was assisted by Avery Burkholder with eight kills and Jordan Eatwell with seven. Walker and Gaherty combined for five aces, led by Walker's three.
 
Maestas led the defense with 13 digs, while Walker passed out 32 assists.
 
The middles Molly Hothan and Burkholder combined for a team-high four blocks in a match. The led the team, holding both opponents to under a .170 hitting average. Offensively, Gaherty and Walker led the team to a .240 or better hitting percentage in both matches.