Standish, MAINE - The Colby Volleyball team opened the year on the road with a 3-1 victory over the Saint Joseph's Monks.  The Monks remain winless on the early season.  

The night marked the debut of first year head coach Lindsay Johnson, and the Mules shook it up to support their coach to her first collegiate win as a head coach.  While the NESCAC preseason is shorter than most, Colby has made steps each day since reporting to implement the new technique and tactics their coach brings with her.  Most noticeable was the net presence of paired blockers and control of volleys that resulted in strong kills.  The head coach wasn't the only one making her debut, as 12 of the rostered 17 members played in their first collegiate game.  

The first set went into extra points as the hosts played tough and nerves of a new experience may have slightly hindered the Mules.  Colby registered a match-high 10 errors in the opening set as the Monks squeaked by a score of 26-24.  Colby leveled out over the final three sets, totaling only 13 combined errors over the stretch, and taking the match 24-26, 25-7, 25-16, and 25-19. Hannah Wyllie (headline photo) led the way with 14 kills and 4 blocks, while Julia Hutchings and Jenny Slaveck led the team in aces and digs, respectively.  

"This was a solid win to get under our belts for the first match of the season," said Johnson.  "Though some nerves were there for the first set, we hit our stride in the second set and didn't look back.  Hannah led the way with her offensive power and we were able to take control and finish strong." 

The Mules will return to the court Friday and Saturday as they host Maine Maritime, UMaine Presque Isle, and Gordon College in a weekend tournament.