MARYVILLE, Tenn. — Averett University volleyball opened the USA South Conference schedule with a pair of wins on Friday afternoon. The Cougars edged host Maryville College 3-2, then rolled past newcomer Wesleyan College 3-0.
 
To open the day, Averett (10-6, 2-0 USA South) and Maryville (5-8, 0-1 USA South) were locked in a five-set battle in which the Cougars won 25-20, 11-25, 25-18, 23-25, 15-12. After a rocky start in the opening set, Averett fought back to tie the game at 17-17 before taking eight of the last 10 points to top the Scots and go ahead 1-0. The two teams alternated wins over the next three sets to force a deciding fifth frame. Once again, Averett got off to a slow start as Maryville jumped out to a 5-1 advantage. Yet, just as they did in the opening set, the Cougars rallied to get back into it. Averett took its first lead at 10-9 and finished strong. Junior Hannah Shields finished off Maryville with a kill, her 29th of the match.
 
Sophomore Emily Stanley had a team-high 16 digs, followed by junior Christiana Summa's 15 digs. Shields notched a double-double with 13 digs, while junior Lynsey Corriher had 10 digs and eight kills. Sophomore setter Keenan Marks had 47 of the team's 51 assists.
 
Averett breezed past Wesleyan (0-3, 0-1 USA South) to finish off the day. The Cougars beat the Wolves 25-1, 25-8, 25-7. Averett had 22 service aces as a team, including nine by Marks and eight by freshman Erin Whitman. Freshman Brianna Williams had six kills to lead the team, which hit .537 as a team against the overmatched Wolves. Williams and Corriher also added five digs.
 
The Cougars return to action on Saturday against Salem College and Covenant College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.