BEREA, Ohio (Sept. 1, 2009) – After crushing Baldwin-Wallace, 3-1 (25-21, 25-22, 20-25, 25-21) in the opening match of the 2009 season, the Thiel College volleyball team dropped a decision to Walsh, 3-0 (25-14, 25-15, 25-11), in a tri-match at Baldwin-Wallace Tuesday night.

Senior Abbey Kiger (Mineral Ridge, Ohio/Mineral Ridge) (Mineral Ridge, Ohio/Mineral Ridge) showed no rust coming into the new season, as she fired 11 kills and came up with a team-high 19 digs against the host Yellow Jackets. Additionally, freshman Kelly Barzak (Warren, Ohio/Howland) (Warren, Ohio/Howland) wasted no time in establishing herself as a legitimate college player, matching Kiger's 11 kills in the contest, while hitting at a blistering .526 clip.

Sophomore Megan Kay (Girard, Ohio/Liberty) (Girard, Ohio/Liberty) also reached a double digit kill total with 10.

Junior Madison Chylik (Valley View, Ohio/Cuyahoga Heights) (Valley View, Ohio/Cuyahoga Heights) dished out a Thiel-best 26 assists, follow by another solid first impression put forth by freshman Chelsea Meister (Liberty Center, Ohio/Liberty Center) (Liberty Center, Ohio/Liberty Center) who compiled 18 assists.

Barzak again led Thiel in kills against Walsh with three.

The Thiel women's volleyball team returns to action on Saturday when they take part in the Kalamazoo College Hornet Invitational.