ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Concordia University volleyball team (1-0) opened their season with a sweep of Ashland (0-1) on Friday afternoon in the Radisson Hotel Roseville Volleyball Clash at the Gangelhoff Center.

The Golden Bears overwhelmed the Eagles with a potent defensive effort, holding the Ashland to just .010 hitting for the match. That mark represents the lowest opponent hitting percentage against CU dating back to Sept. 19, 2013 at home against Upper Iowa.

The opening match win moved head coach Brady Starkey to 11-1 in opening matches with his only loss coming in a 2008 to CSU San Bernadino.

The Golden Bears were led by a pair of outside hitters as Anna Schlaak set career highs with 13 kills and and eight digs and Emily McDonough finished with a double-double with 11 kills and 12 digs to go along with a team-best four aces. Kasey Williams was solid in the setter spot with 33 assists and 5 digs for the match.

Heather Schiller helped get Concordia off to a quick start with five kills in the first set as CU turned a 6-6 tie into a 25-14 set win. Schiller finished the match with eight kills and three block assists.

Ashland kept it close early in the second set before Concordia used a 9-0 run midway through the set to build a comfortable 15-5 lead. The Golden Bears eventually extended the lead to 13 at 20-7 as they cruised to a 25-13 set win to go up 2-0 in the match. Senior Lisa Atkinson was active on the defensive end with six of her 11 digs in the second set.

A 6-0 start to the third set helped put the Eagles away as they never pulled within five the rest of the way. The lead ballooned to 17-5 en route to a 25-13 win to complete the sweep.

Rylee Scott led the Eagles with six kills while Maureen Johnson and Casey Clarke each chipped in five kills. Clarke and Melanie Aguayo also had six assists apiece for Ashland.

Concordia is back in action tonight against #7 Southwest Minnesota State in the nightcap at 7:30 p.m. at the Gangelhoff Center.