ALLIANCE, Ohio – Mount Union's volleyball team opened the 2017 season with wins over Allegheny (Pa.) and Denison Friday at the Mount Union Invitational.

The Purple Raiders got a strong performance from freshman Madelin DiBease (Perry/Perry), who led the team in kills in both matches getting 13 against Allegheny and 18 versus Denison.

Most of those kills came off assists from senior setter Riley Schenk (Amherst/Steele) who had 29 and 38 assists in the two matches respectively.

Junior libero Allison Baird (North Royalton/North Royalton) led the defense with 16 digs against Allegheny and 20 in the win against Denison.

Mount Union comes back with a pair of matches Saturday hosting Grove City and Wooster.