ALLIANCE, Ohio – A challenging opening match featuring programs coming off 20-win seasons did not go The College of Wooster's way, as the University of Mount Union swept the Fighting Scots volleyball team 25-13, 25-16, 25-13 on Friday afternoon at McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex.

Wooster (0-1) held Mount Union (1-0) to a .175 attack percentage. Senior libero Sydney Fitzcharles paced the Scots with 15 digs, while Wooster received 11 digs apiece from junior Trinity Harmon and senior Hayley Nash.

Up front, Nash's six kills led the team, while junior Caroline Dillard had an early solo block on the Purple Raiders' Darby Leininger. Junior Tyara Thompson passed out a career-high 17 assists in her first extensive stretch at setter.

Maria Ellesin led all players with 11 kills, and Leininger backed that total up with seven on 15 swings. Alyssa Kasaris' 23 digs for Mount Union led all players, and the Purple Raiders' libero was perfect on 19 serve receptions.

Wooster's best stretch of the match came midway through the second set. Mount Union's Natalie Zucco was off the mark on an attack attempt, then back-to-back kills by junior Caroline Dillard and senior Emily Gail had Wooster within 13-10.

Next, Wooster meets up with Otterbein University (2-0), a 2021 NCAA Div. III Championships qualifier, at noon on Saturday, September 3 at Mount Union. A 2 p.m. match against Alma College (0-1) follows.