BETHANY, W. Va. – The Thiel women's volleyball squad opened its 2011 Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) season Saturday morning at Bethany College, falling in their opener to the host Bison 3-2 before recording a 3-1 win over Saint Vincent College.

Thiel (5-5, 1-1) earned a 26-24 opening game win against the Bison but dropped the next two, 25-19 and 25-19. The Tomcats picked up a 26-24 fourth-set win to force a deciding fifth game, where Bethany went on to earn a 15-13 victory.

Alyssa Chine (North Jackson, Ohio/Jackson Milton) finished with 23 kills and 10 digs to pace the Tomcats offensively. Kelly Barzak (Warren, Ohio/Howland) added 10 kills and nine digs while Chelsea Meister (Liberty Center, Ohio/Liberty Center) handed out 42 assists. Megan Kay (Girard, Ohio/Liberty) and Lauren Downs (Mentor, OH/Mentor HS) added 19 and 17 digs, respectively.

After watching Saint Vincent race out to a 25-18 opening-set win Thiel bounced back with wins of 25-21, 25-20, and 25-16.

Chine and Kay again led the way for Thiel in their matchup with Saint Vincent with each totaling 11 kills and 15 digs, respectively. Meister contributed 36 assists and 10 digs while Downs added 11 digs.

Thiel returns to action on Tuesday, Sept. 20 when they host Grove City College for a 7 p.m. match.