Greenville, Pa. – When head coach Steve Brewer and the men's volleyball team started their first week of practice they couldn't have scripted a better opening day contest. The Tomcats defeated the Saints of Siena Heights College 3-1 Saturday at Beeghly Gymnasium.

Thiel started the first set off on the right note as the first-ever play for the Tomcats was an ace by freshman setter Corey Hamilton (Meadville, Pa., Maplewood). The Tomcats would go on to take the first set 25-21 with the last play of the set also being an ace, this time by junior outside hitter John Kahoohanohano (Wailuku, Hawaii, King Kekaulike).

“It was great to win that first set, it really calmed everyone down and allowed us to just play our game,” said Brewer, who has been the head coach of the women's team for five years.

Set two caused a little bit of concern for Thiel as the Saints jumped out to a 19-14 lead. However, the Tomcats would battle back and take the second set 26-24.

After losing the third set 25-20, Thiel battled back from behind in the fourth set to earn the first victory in the history of the program by a 3-1 final.

Offensively, the Tomcats were led by their captains as sophomore middle hitter Dante MCCoy (Reading, Pa., Holy Name) and freshman middle hitter Kyle Turkalj (Greensburg, Pa., Hempfield) had 12 kills and 11 kills, respectively. Hamilton was also a catalyst for the offense as he recorded 37 assists on the day.

Defensively, Thiel was led by freshman outside hitter Cameron Capp (Mechanicsburg, Pa., Mechanicsburg) and Kahoohanohano who had six digs apiece to help the Tomcats to a 1-0 start. 

For Siena Heights (0-1) Matt Mitterholzer and Adrian Rutt finished with 13 and 11 kills, respectively. Juan Sierra dealt out 34 assists while Brandon Bowers added six blocks and Mitterholzer recorded 11 digs.

“It was really good to get that first win of the season, especially with the tough season a head of us,” said Brewer. In the Tomcats inaugural season, Thiel will play against five different institutions that are ranked in the preseason top 15.

Up next for the 1-0 Tomcats will be two road games versus D'Youville College on the 18th and 15th-ranked Medaille College on the 20th. Each game is scheduled to being at 7 p.m.