Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett volleyball team opened its season with a pair of wins during the first day of the 19th annual Cougar Classic on Saturday at the Grant Center. The Cougars topped Austin College 3-1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-15) and swept Guilford College 3-0 (25-22, 25-9, 25-21).

Averett (2-0) dropped the opening set to Austin (0-2), which had played a match earlier in the day. The Cougars found their form in the second set and never trailed. Austin took an early lead in the third game before Averett rallied midway through. Senior Allison Sparks put the set away with an ace. In the final frame, Averett rattled off eight straight points to go up 11-3 en route to the 25-15 win.

Sparks led the Cougars with 13 kills and eight digs against the Roos, while sophomore Leslie Fulton added 12 kills and five blocks. Sophomore Katelyn Holley had a team-high 13 digs, while junior setter Nicole Barringer finished with 41 assists.

In their final game of the day, the Cougars cruised past Guilford (0-2) in three sets. In a tight first set, Averett battled back from a 20-18 deficit and scored seven consecutive points to take control late. The Cougars used that momentum to storm past the Quakers in the next game 25-9 while hitting a stellar .652 percent. In the final set, Averett held off Guilford late.

Against Guilford, Sparks led the way with 13 kills and eight digs. Seniors Megan Sawyer and Sarah Sparks each added seven kills. Holley led the team with 11 digs and Barringer had 33 assists.

Averett returns to action on Sunday when it plays Roanoke College ar 2:30 p.m. and Greensboro College at 4:30 p.m.