WATERTOWN, Wis. – Winning a conference championship doesn't require that you win your first league match, but the Edgewood College volleyball team certainly wanted to get off to a good start. However, a combination of Maranatha Baptist serving aces and strong defense at the net, led the Crusaders to a 3-0 victory over the Eagles in the Northern Athletics Conference opener for both teams.

Edgewood College (6-4, 0-1 NAC) opened up a 14-10 lead in the first set behind four kills from Jessica Martin, but the Crusaders reeled off an 18-14 run to assert control of the set. At 24-19, Jessica Martin gave the Eagles hope with three consecutive kills to cut the Crusaders lead to 24-22, but an attack error by Edgewood College's Rachel Thomsen ended the set. Martin had eight kills in the first set to lead the Eagles attack.

The Eagles rolled out to a 7-3 early lead in set two, but Maranatha Baptist (6-0, 1-0 NAC) began to assert control using their serve. The Crusaders had six aces in the second set, including three in a row by Torey DeLozier which gave the Crusaders a 16-15 lead. The Eagles recovered and were tied at 23, but a kill by DeLozier and the Crusaders' sixth service ace of the set delivered by Hallie Sheley gave Maranatha the victory. Martin had six more kills for the Eagles in the second set.

In the third set, it was the Crusaders' blocking that sunk the Eagles. Maranatha had six blocks in the set, including three on the final four points of the match. Tied 6-6, Maranatha Baptist scored a 5-1 run to gain the lead for good. The Eagles got as close as 14-12, but never got within two points again.

The Eagles were led by Martin who had 16 kills and hit .229 for the match. Mallory Palmer scored 10 kills of her own and added 12 digs. Sam Himmelspach had 18 digs, while Lindsey Swansby had 29 assists. Edgewood College had 42 kills, but were held back by 19 attack errors and 13 receiving errors.

Edgewood College will get another chance to get their first NAC win on Thursday. The Eagles will travel to MSOE for a 7:00 match with the Red Raiders at the Kern Center.