After a short, 12-day preseason before the start of the regular season, the Thunder volleyball team was back in action at the Thunder Invitational where they went 2-2 on the weekend. The Thunder opened the season with NAIA and KCAC member, Sterling (25-27, 16-25, 25-14, 25-16, 8-15). Down two sets to none, the Thunder rallied to force a fifth and deciding set ultimately falling to the Warriors in the final frame. Jacey Schurle and Liv Lubbers both had 15 kills, while Schurle had a 0.583 attack percentage. Abigail Blake led the defense with 28 total digs. Later in the evening, the Thunder would win their first match of the season, a 3-0 sweep, of the NAIA and SAC member, Langston (25-18, 25-19, 29-27). Lubbers had 15 kills to lead the offense, while Jozie Kanode had a team-high four service aces. Blake, Kanode, and Josie Mehl combined for 40 digs on defense.

On Saturday, a second sweep of NAIA and AMC member, Cottey (25-21, 25-23, 25-13), gave the Thunder their second victory of the season. It was a balanced attack on offense as four Thunder players had eight kills led by Hannah Beukelman's 0.583 attack percentage. In the final match of the Thunder Invitational, the Thunder would fall victim to a sweep by the Falcons of Friends University (24-26, 19-25, 15-25). Mehl had 20 assists to lead the team in the Thunder's final match.

The Thunder are on the road this week for one match on Friday, August 30th against the Union Adventist University Warriors at 4:00 PM at The Thunderdome in Lincoln, NE.

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