PETOSKEY, Mich. – Now that's how you open a season! The 2023 edition of Macomb Volleyball got off to a strong start Thursday (Aug. 24) with a 3-0 sweep over Alpena Community College at the Buffalo Wild Wings and Corktown Pizza Quad. The Monarchs (1-0) earned the season-opening sweep over the Lumberjacks (0-1) behind set scores of 25-16, 25-20 and 25-20.

The Monarchs return to action in Petoskey Friday morning with a 9 a.m. match against the host of the quad, the North Central Michigan College Timberwolves, before closing out their time up north with another contest against the Alpena at 1 p.m.

On Thursday, the Monarchs shot out to an early lead and cruised to a 25-16 set one victory behind an efficient effort up and down the roster. One of three returners on the roster, Becca Weiss (Dryden, Mich./Dryden) donned the libero jersey and started her sophomore season off on a high note with key digs to go along with three aces in the opening-set win. Fellow returners Mallory Cardinale (Clinton Twp., Mich./Chippewa Valley) and Chante Hudgins (Warren, Mich./Lincoln) also enjoyed a strong start to their sophomore campaigns as the pair tallied multiple first set kills.

In set two, the Monarchs depth was on display as everyone entered the contest and contributed in the 25-20 victory. The Monarchs led 21-10 in the set before the Lumberjacks closed the gap in the five-point decision. Thursday's third and final set mirrored set two in many ways as the Monarchs held a large lead before the Lumberjacks stormed back in a decision that ultimately went in favor of Macomb by a 25-20 final tally.

Hudgins led a balanced attack with eight kills and added a team-best three block assists, while Cardinale followed closely with a career-high marks in digs (8) and kills (7). Newcomer Adeline Tresnak (Dryden, Mich./Dryden) put together an impressive debut with six kills and a pair of block assists and fellow freshman Hadley Schaefer (Harrison Twp., Mich./Parkway Christian) checked in with four kills and two block assists.

Paige Elliott (Livonia, Mich./Detroit Country Day) was in command throughout from the setter position and posted 28 assists in her debut, while Weiss notched career bests with 15 digs and an incredible eight aces. Lexi Pogasic (Washington Twp., Mich./Romeo) and Nikole Nikolova (Sterling Heights, Mich./Henry Ford II) chipped in with seven digs each to help lift the Monarchs to victory.