MARIETTA, Ohio – The Thiel College women's volleyball team opened their 2016 season going 3-1 at the two-day River City Invitational, held at Marietta.

The Tomcats didn't waste any time getting their first win of the new campaign as they downed the Midway Eagles in straight sets (25-18, 25-20, 27-25) in the opening match of the tournament on Friday. Shelby Friedel (Columbia Station, Ohio/Columbia) and Peyton Allen (Mineral Ridge, Ohio/Mineral Ridge) carried the Tomcat offense. Friedel led the team with nine kills on 15 swings while Allen put down eight kills.  Friedel also added two blocks for the Tomcats.

Hannah Rossman (Fairview, Pa./Fairview) and Jenny Shelley (Port Allegany, Pa./Port Allegany) split time at setter in the win against Midway. Rossman handed out 16 assists while Shelley had 10 assists and two service aces.

After dropping the first match on Saturday to host Marietta (17-25, 22-25, 21-25), the Tomcats rifled off back-to-back four-set wins against Kentucky Christian (25-22, 25-23, 20-25, 25-19) and WVU Tech (28-26, 20-25, 25-23, 25-20) to wrap up the tournament.

Friedel finished the second day of the tournament with 32 kills and eight blocks. Allen totaled 28 kills and 53 digs while Shelley dished out 65 assists. Kasey Kohler (New Springfield, Ohio/Springfield Local) also shined in second day for the Tomcats. Kohler notched 24 kills, including a team-high 12 kills against Kentucky Christian.

Megan Sweeny (Freeport, Pa./Freeport Area) and Hayley Macko (Canal Fulton, Ohio/Northwest) carried the Tomcat back row on Saturday. Sweeny tallied 53 digs in three games and Macko led the team against WVU Tech with 25 digs.

The Tomcats (3-1) will host their 2016 home opener on Wednesday, Sept. 7 when they take on the Wooster Fighting Scots. Action from Beeghly Gymnasium is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.