BEAUMONT, Texas – Houston Baptist University sophomore middle blocker/rightside hitter Caiti Wenger hit .417 with seven kills and four services aces as the Huskies cruised past Texas Southern, 3-0 (25-10, 25-16, 25-15) in the season-opener Friday afternoon in the Lamar Tournament at McDonald Gym.

“The match was really good, it was really exciting,” Wenger, a transfer who made her HBU debut, said. “We all worked together – it wasn't just me – everybody stepped up, we really talked and helped each other out. I just want to go out and do what I can and help as much as I can.”

Senior outside hitter Christie Dorch had six kills, while senior middle blocker Jolie Graf, junior outside hitter Heather Leaverton and freshman outside hitter Jasmine Casey each had five kills for the Huskies (1-0). Casey added a match-high 11 digs, while senior libero Courtney Whittleman had 10 digs.

Junior setter Victoria Weatherly had 28 assists, four kills, five digs and a pair of blocks, while freshman defensive specialist Haley Hoffman served up five aces.

Precious Spenser led Texas Southern (0-1) with five kills. Erica Lewis and Titai Ritter each had six digs apiece for the Lady Tigers.

The Huskies hit .239 for the match, while holding the Lady Tigers to -.083. HBU also outdug Texas Southern, 37-28, while each team had five blocks.

HBU scored eight of the match's first nine points, then later ripped off eight-straight points to take a 16-3 lead and coast to a 25-10 victory in the first set. The second set was tied, 13-13, before the Huskies scored four straight, including a pair of aces from Hoffman, and 12 of the set's final 15 points for a 25-16 decision. HBU led 5-4 in the third, until scoring 10 of 11 points to jump out to a 15-5 advantage and go on for a 25-15 win to clinch the match.