COLUMBUS, Miss. -  The W volleyball made short work of both the United States Sports University and Stillman College, sweeping both by 3-0 scores, in its own Owls Tri-Match at Pohl Gym. The Owls are now 2-5 after the wins on the program's annual Alumnae Day, that welcomed back several players from the school's past teams.
 
In its opening match versus USSU, MUW won by set scores of 25-23, 25-10, 25-19. The first set proved to be a battle for the Owls, who couldn't shake the resilient Eagles. The opening set featured a total of 11 ties and six lead changes. With the score tied at 23-23, senior MC Brown served the final two points to put her team over the top, 25-23.
 
Ahead 3-1 in set two, The W's Avery Watts then served up three-consecutive aces. A kill by Madyson McBrayer extended the lead to 7-1. Another winning skein of six serves by Bailee Schmitt helped the cushion go from 8-2 to 14-2. After exchanging side outs to make it 15-3, McBrayer reeled off four winning serves, as well, for a 19-3 advantage.
 
The third set saw USSO stay within striking distance early, before The W inched away. Up an uncomfortable 14-12, the Owls tallied four straight points to create some distance and cap off the sweep.
 
15 Owls saw action against the Eagles, led by eight kills from Skye Letson. MUW had 12 service aces, led by Avery  Watts and Megan Neeb with four, apiece. Neeb also led the Owls with 11 digs.  Setter Kinsley Kennedy had 24 assists.
 
The W then faced off versus Stillman College in its afternoon match, won by set scores of 25-18, 25-10, 25-19. MUW was, literally a big hit versus the Tigers, amassing a team attack average of .393.
 
The duo of McBrayer and Letson each rolled up double-figure kill totals, with 11 and 10, respectively. McBrayer had a sterling .611 attack average (no errors in 18 attempts), which is the second-best in any single match in the Owls' modern era of volleyball.
 
Neeb added nine kills and four more aces versus the Tigers. Kennedy set up 39 assists and Brooklyn Comfort held down the backrow with 14 digs.
 
The W will cap a string of five-consecutive home matches on Wednesday (Sept. 17/6 p.m.) against Millsaps College in Pohl Gym.