DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University volleyball opened its 2021 campaign with a 3-0 home victory over non-conference foe Ferrum College on Wednesday night in the Grant Center. The Cougars won 25-18, 25-17 and 25-11.

Averett (1-0), the defending USA South Conference East Division champion, built a 10-3 lead in the opening game to set the tone. Although Ferrum (0-1) closed the gap late, the Cougars prevailed to take a 1-0 edge in the match.
The Cougars overcame an initial deficit to start Set 2 and finished strong, hitting .424 for the frame to go ahead 2-0. Averett easily put Ferrum away in the third set as the Cougars hit .419 as a team.

Averett picked up its 18th consecutive win over Ferrum and improved to 63-8 against the Panthers since 1990.

Junior Morgan Barnes and senior Sarah Shropshire both finished with double-digit kills. Barnes led the way with 15 kills while Shropshire had 13. Sophomore Erin Gray led the team with 17 digs and junior Lauren Montren totaled nine kills and nine digs. Freshman Kinsley Stevens and sophomore Makkenzie Compton had 23 assists and 15 assists, respectively, at the setter position.

Averett returns to action on Friday when the Cougars host their annual two-day Cougar Classic.