NORTHFIELD, VT. – The senior combination of outside hitters Ivana Batur (Zagreb, Croatia) and April Byllaardt (Stormville, N.Y.) helped get the 2011 Norwich University volleyball season off to a strong start Sept. 1.

The duo each hammered nine kills and finished well above .400 in attack percentage during a 25-8, 25-12, 25-12 sweep of in-state opponent Johnson St. Byllaardt added a strong performance defensively at the net with two solo blocks and one block assist. She also joined Batur and freshman Corinne Baita (Rochester, N.H.) as the trio combined for nine service aces.

Norwich roared out to big leads in the first two games. However, JSC opened the third game with a quick 6-3 lead and continued to hold the advantage at 9-7 until a five-point run for the Cadets turned the game around for good.  

"It's always nice to get the first match under your belt," Coach Amanda Cuiffo said. "We had some freshmen step up when we needed them to, and we also had the chance to implement some things into our offense tonight."

The Maroon and Gold continue a season-opening five-match home stand by hosting Babson College of New York, Colby-Sawyer College of New Hampshire and the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in a quadrangular Saturday, Sept. 3. Action begins at 10 a.m. in Andrews Gymnasium.