The Westminster women's volleyball team came back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat Stephens College 3-1 in their season opener on Tuesday evening. The Westminster Blue Jays begin their season with a 1-0 record.

The Stephens Stars jumped to a 10-3 lead in set one, but a kill by senior Lexi Collier put an end to their run. With freshman Nikki Testerman serving, the Blue Jays brought the set within two points, 11-9. The lead went back-and-forth, but the Stars pulled ahead towards the end. After 47 rallies in the first set, Stephens grabbed the 25-22 win.

Set two remained a close set until a kill by Testerman and two kills by sophomore Hannah Marshall put the Blue Jays up 9-6. The Blue Jays went up 13-8 and maintained the lead throughout the set. They won set two 25-19. 

The Blue Jays jumped out to an 11-5 lead in set three with kills from five of the Blue Jay attackers. The Stars brought the set within two through multiple Blue Jay attack errors, but the Blue Jays held their ground. Two service aces from senior Caroline Will gave the Blue Jays a push to finish out the set with a 25-22 win.

Attack errors plagued the Stars in the fourth set as the Blue Jays grabbed an early 9-6 lead. The lead bounced around before two service aces by Marshall and two kills by junior Gabby LaRose gave the Blue Jays the 17-14 advantage. The Blue Jays held the lead and a block by juniors Amanda Kiso and Kayla Reeg ended the set with a score 25-21.

The Blue Jays were led offensively by Marshall who finished with 15 kills. Reeg held the pace with 37 assists, and freshman Bridget Ringwald finished with 13 digs. 

The Blue Jays next travel to Wisconsin on Friday, September 4, to play in the UW-Platteville Tournament.