Pirates Open Up 2009 Season With Pair Of Victories

ANDERSON (S.C.) -  The Armstrong Atlantic State volleyball squad opened up the 2009 season with a pair of wins on Friday evening at the Anderson (S.C.) Invitational. The Pirates defeated Erskine, 3-1, and Southern Wesleyan, 3-0, in first-day action.

The Pirates opened up the season against the Flying Fleet, who were making not only their season debut but their program debut, on Friday afternoon. AASU won in four sets, 25-18, 25-16, 21-25, 25-12. Sophomore outside hitter Torrie Bevolo led the Pirates with 14 kills, while junior outside hitter Brendyce Budd added 11 kills and hit .259. Freshman middle hitter Kathrin Standhardinger made her Pirate debut with a team-high five blocks, while her twin sister Kristen Standhardinger tallied 43 assists and 10 digs. Sophomore libero Casey Howett led defensively with 13 digs.

AASU then faced Southern Wesleyan on Friday evening and won 28-26, 25-11, 25-17. Kathrin Standhardginer hit .474 with a team-high 11 kills and just two errors in 19 attacks, adding three blocks and seven digs. Torrie Bevolo added nine kills and senior outside hitter Amy Birkemeier chipped in eight. Kristen Standhardinger notched 36 assists and a trio of Pirates led defensively with eight digs - senior Nikki Yates, Casey Howett and senior Marina Marinova.

The Pirates will wrap up action in the Anderson (S.C.) Invitational on Saturday afternoon, facing the University of West Alabama at Noon and North Greenville at 4:00 p.m.