DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University volleyball defeated Ferrum College 3-0 on Wednesday night as the Cougars began their West Division schedule. Averett, winners of 10 in a row, beat the Panthers 25-10, 25-17, 25-19.

Averett (17-6, 9-0 USA South) jumped on Ferrum (8-5, 4-6 USA South) early by building an 8-1 lead. The Cougars pulled away from there to make quick work of the Panthers in the opening frame. Ferrum hung tight early in the second set before Averett inched out to a 15-10 lead, forcing the Panthers to take a timeout. From there, the Cougars controlled the momentum and went ahead 2-0 overall heading into the third set. In the third game, Ferrum overcame a five-point deficit to get within a close as two points. Yet, Averett finished off the Panthers in the same way it started the match — a kill by junior Sarah Smoot set by sophomore Keenan Marks.

Smoot finished with 12 kills and Marks had 36 assists to go with four total blocks. Junior Hannah Shields led the team with 13 kills and also contributed nine digs. Freshman Brianna Williams talled eight kills and four total blocks, while junior Christiana Summa had a team-high 12 digs. Sophomore Emily Stanley added six service aces and sophomore Kaleigh Steelman notched seven digs in the win.

As a team, Averett finished with a .376 hitting percentage with nine service aces.

Averett travels to play non-conference foe Virginia Wesleyan College on Thursday at 7 p.m.