VIRGINIA BEACH -- When senior standout Tempe Martens (Severna Park, Md./Severna Park) exited the first set against Rhode Island's Johnson & Wales University in Virginia Wesleyan College's volleyball season opener, there might have been a brief moment of panic among her young Marlin teammates.

It was only a matter of minutes before the Marlins shook it off and pulled together however, overcoming a 25-22 first set loss to the Wildcats to take the match overall 3-2 in VWC's Invitational. Virginia Wesleyan won 25-19 and 25-17, before J&W tied it all with a 25-13 victory.  But, Virginia Wesleyan took the lead in the decider and went on to post a 15-10 win.

That was the start of a 2-0 day for the host Marlins, as they also defeated New Jersey's Rowan University in four. VWC started off with a 25-19 win, but Rowan followed with a 25-17 decision. Both teams battled hard through a third set, with VWC pulling out a 27-25 win. The Marlins took the match overall with a 25-19 score in the fourth set.

Junior Alex Lambert (Alexandria/Hayfield) and rookie Tiffany Barret (Stafford/North Stafford) emerged strong at the net for the Marlins throughout Friday's competition.  Lambert provided the Marlins with 24 kills overall, including a match-high 13 against Rowan. Barrett posted a match-high 12 against J&W and finished with 21 overall.  Sophomore Kelsey Caviston (Lanexa/Warhill) added a total of 15 in the two matches and Rosalind Ludovici (Virginia Beach/First Colonial) finished with 12.

Sophomore Kristin Sessoms (Virginia Beach/Bayside) produced 44 set assists, 22 in each match, and sophomore Marin Crowder (Charlottesville/Crozet Western Albemarle) led the Marlins with 34 digs, including 18 against Rowan.

The Marlins enjoyed standout serving throughout Friday, finishing with 27 aces. Senior Mikaela Whittaker (Gainesville/Haymarket Battlefield) led with four against J&W and Lambert led with four against Rowan.

Virginia Wesleyan competes again on Saturday, Aug. 31, against Meredith College at 10 a.m. and against the University of Mary Washington at 2 p.m.

Other Friday scores:
Randolph defeated Johnson & Wales, 25-23, 22-25, 26-24, 25-23
Randolph defeated University of Mary Washington, 25-21, 19-25, 25-18, 26-24
Meredith College defeated Rowan, 16-25, 27-25, 25-15, 17-25, 15-13
Meredith defeated Mary Washington, 25-18, 16-25, 25-21, 25-20