MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- The Siena Heights women's volleyball team opened its 2024 season with a pair of 3-1 non-conference victories over host Bethel (Ind.) and Indiana-South Bend on Wednesday.

The Saints (2-0) will be in action next when they host non-conference opponent Huntington on Wednesday, Aug. 28, for a 7 p.m. start.

Siena Heights 3, #RV Bethel 1
(Set scores: SHU 21-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-20)

Devyne Eisenhauer was strong on both offense and defense, finishing with 15 kills and 18 digs. Olivia Norman also planted 15 kills.

Emalee Maesch added 10 kills and two aces while Aubrey Bates totaled 47 assists and 10 digs. Jessica Holsapple made 11 digs.

SHU struggled through its first set of the year with a .081 hit percentage before rebounding with a .357 in the second.

The host Pilots opened with a 6-0 run before SHU chipped away to pull into a 19-19 tie in the first. Bethel then ended the set with a 6-2 stretch.

Siena Heights never trailed in the second after opening with a 4-1 start.

In the third, SHU was down 10-6 before taking the lead for good with an 8-1 run. Norman had two kills and Holsapple smashed two aces in that stretch.

The Saints built a 20-11 lead in the fourth and held off a late Bethel charge.

Siena Heights 3, Indiana-South Bend 1
(Set scores: SHU 25-11, 25-23, 21-25, 25-17)

Norman led the Saints attack with 15 kills and was a presence at the net with nine blocks.

Eisenhauer and Maesch added 10 kills apiece and Bates made 35 assists. Hanes dug 13 attacks.

SHU came out strong in the opening set with a .400 hit percentage. The Saints began the match on a 13-1 run: Eisenhauer had three kills, Norman made two blocks and Bates dished four assists.

In the second, Siena Heights came back from an 18-15 deficit, finishing the set on a 10-5 comeback.

After dropping the third, the Saints began the fourth with a 6-2 lead and stretched the margin out to 19-9 before finishing off the match.