ALLIANCE, Ohio – The Case Western Reserve University volleyball team opened its 2011 season with a 1-1 record on day one of the 2011 Mount Union Invitational at the McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex. The Spartans were swept by No. 15-ranked Hope College (Mich.) but rebounded with a sweep of their own versus Allegheny College (Pa.) later in the evening.

CWRU wraps up the weekend with two more matches on Saturday, starting with Mount St. Joseph College at noon and Geneva College (Pa.) at 2:00 p.m.

In the opening match, the nationally-ranked Flying Dutch (2-0) edged the Spartans in three straight sets, 26-24, 25-20 and 25-22. Senior middle hitter Tricia McCutchan (Hamilton, Ohio/Stephen T. Badin) led the attack with 10 kills, while junior setter Breana Freeman (Geneva, Ohio/Geneva) totaled 20 assists. Junior libero Rachel Gulasey (Cleveland, Ohio/Magnificat) paced the defensive effort with 18 digs.

In their second match, the Spartans defeated the Gators (0-2) by scores of 25-17, 25-16 and 25-19. McCutchan was a force, totaling 18 kills with a .640 hitting percentage.  Freeman posted 33 assists and 11 digs while Gulasey led the defense with 14.

Following tomorrow's matches, the Spartans return to action with their home-opener versus Mount Union on Wednesday, Sept. 7. Action from Horsburgh Gymnasium in Cleveland is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. and fans can watch the match live at: http://athletics.case.edu/sports/wvball/live.