Erie, PA -- It seemed fitting that a block ended the Gannon University volleyball team's perfect opening weekend.

After all, the Golden Knights played sterling defense all weekend but in particular, during a 3-0 sweep of GLIAC preseason favorite Grand Valley State University on Saturday evening in the final match of the Gannon-Mercyhurst Invitational at Highmark Events Center.

Gannon, ranked No. 18 nationally in NCAA Division II, was the only team from the weekend tourney to finish with a perfect record as the Golden Knights won all nine sets they played against Grand Valley, Malone and Notre Dame College. Grand Valley finished the weekend 3-1 after dominating its first three matches.

Gannon won the first two sets against Grand Valley in surprisingly easy fashion by scores of 25-14 and 25-12. The Golden Knights fell behind early in the third set and eventually trailed 24-23 before Gannon coach Matt Darling called a timeout. The Knights responded by scoring three consecutive points, with the final one coming on a block by Sophia Glabus and Hailey Koch (Littleton, Col./Dakota Ridge).

"It kind of feels like a signature win for a whole new team," Darling said. "We watched Grand Valley look really good earlier, so to come out and really kind of control things for two sets, and then I love being in a tight match at the end and having to come through with that. I thought that was really good for us."

Sophomore libero Emma Hall (Lowell, Mich./Lowell) led Gannon's defensive effort, making a series of spectacular diving plays while registering a match-high 27 digs.

"It's a pretty high-effort group most of the time, but defensively, they really brought it tonight," Darling said. "Emma Hall (Lowell, Mich./Lowell), I think she's a fantastic player, and she played with a lot of passion today. She really set the tone for us."

"It's not a secret – Emma Hall (Lowell, Mich./Lowell) is an unbelievable libero. Sometimes at practice, I'll be like, 'Where did you find her, coach?' " said junior outside hitter Madde Blake. "All the way around, everybody that came in played great defense … Sam (Deinek) played great defense. The best way to describe it was relentless, all over the place, front and back row."

Freshman setter Bengisu Arslan added 15 digs to the defensive effort and Blake had 10. Glabus had four blocks.

Offensively, sophomore outside hitter Sam Deinek led Gannon with 14 kills, and Blake added 11 while serving as the emotional leader of the team.

"I think we've created a really nice flow of our leadership," Blake said. "I personally am a very vocal leader, but Maggie Greenfield (Woodstock, Ontario/Woodstock Collegiate Institute) and Sophia Glabus are incredible leaders on and off the court. They keep us focused and smooth. People like Sam and Emma are very experienced. They've really kept things at a high level the entire time."

Arslan completed a strong debut weekend by dishing out 29 assists against Grand Valley, giving her 101 assists for the weekend. She had 37 and 35 assists in the first two matches.

Overall, it was an ideal way to start the season for Gannon.

"It feels really good, of course, having those wins in our back pocket, but it feels a lot better doing it as a team," Blake said. "That was a huge team effort, not just the people that were on the court. Our bench won that game, too. Everybody was dialed in; everybody was ready, and I'm super proud of every single person on our team."

Gannon 3, Notre Dame College 0: One night after sweeping Malone University in their opener, the Golden Knights beat Notre Dame 25-7, 25-15, 25-14 in the first of three matches at Highmark Events Center on Saturday morning in the Gannon-Mercyhurst Invitational.

The Knights displayed a balanced lineup as 13 players took the court.

"The team effort is probably the No. 1 thing that I'll take from this," Darling said. "We were able to use people, and every time we substituted a new player, the continuity seemed about the same. So, I'm really happy with it top to bottom."

Glabus and Ali Sorenson (Tinley Park, Ill./Lincoln Way East) led Gannon with eight kills apiece, while Blake registered seven kills and Deinek had six. Freshman outside hitter Mia Dela Merced (South Elgin, Ill./St. Charles North) had five kills and collected an ace on her first collegiate serve.

"Mia Dela Merced (South Elgin, Ill./St. Charles North) got her debut today and did great," Darling said. "We're still trying to figure out who's going to contribute and where. So, it's nice to get some people in there, and we really didn't lose anything. They did a great job."

Arslan recorded 35 assists. Hall paced Gannon with 17 digs, Lara Toruner (Istanbul, Turkey/Terakki Foundation) had nine, and Arslan, Blake and Dela Merced had seven apiece.