TAMPA, Fla. – A new season started on Friday for the Gannon University women's volleyball team, and a newcomer fit nicely into the lineup.

Junior transfer Journey Blevins (Richwood, Ohio/North Union) had 23 kills in her first appearance in a Gannon uniform as the Golden Knights claimed a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Missouri S&T on the opening day of the two-day Tampa Classic.

Junior right side hitter Hailey Koch (Littleton, Col./Dakota Ridge) added 15 kills in GU's 29-27, 21-25, 26-24, 25-22 win at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center.

On an afternoon when each of the four sets was close, the key was Gannon's ability to win late points, including several Missouri S&T set points.

"We feel great about starting the season with a win, especially against a very good team like Missouri S&T," Darling said.  "There are definitely things that we need to work on, and we saw that in this match; but overall the team played well, especially on offense and in the high-stakes points at the end of sets."
 
 
Payback for Gannon
 
The Golden Knights faced the Miners in 2022 and did not fare well. Missouri S&T swept Gannon 3-0 in the early season Hillsdale Charger Invitational, and none of the sets was particularly close.
 
Of course, Gannon improved throughout the 2022 season and went on to win the PSAC Tournament and the Atlantic Regional before advancing to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.
 
This time, Gannon was ready for its talented foe and continually won clutch points.
 
 
Blevins makes an impact
 
Blevins was a two-time AVCA All-America outsider hitter at the University of Findlay before transferring to Gannon in the offseason. She was an honorable-mention honoree as a freshman and a second-team selection as a sophomore.
 
On Friday, the 5-foot-11 Blevins put away 23 kills – more than any Gannon hitter had in 2022 – and added 11 digs and a team-high four blocks. She had 56 attacks in the match.
 
 
 
Other statistical standouts
 
Sophomore setter Bengisu Arslan (Ankara, Turkey/Private Çankaya Doga Anatolian), a returning AVCA honorable-mention All-America, led Gannon with 47 assists and added 10 digs.
 
Another 2022 AVCA honorable-mention All-America outside hitter, Madde Blake (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake Central), collected nine kills, while Ali Sorenson (Tinley Park, Ill./Lincoln Way East) also had nine kills, and Makenna Gavin (Pittsburgh, Pa./Avonworth) added seven.
 
Junior libero Emma Hall (Lowell, Mich./Lowell) paced Gannon with 16 digs.
 
Freshman Lauren Atwell (Mars, Pa./Mars Area) tied Blevins for the team high with four blocks.
 
 
Saturday schedule
No. 24-ranked Gannon will return to action in the Tampa Classic on Saturday.  The Golden Knights will face Central Missouri at 11 a.m., followed by No. 5-ranked Tampa at 8 p.m.

Tampa defeated Central Missouri 3-1 on Friday night.