WATERVILLE, Maine --- The Colby College volleyball team opened the season on a bright note with a convincing 3-0 win over Gordon College on the first day of the Colby Invitational on Friday night at Wadsworth Gymnasium.
 
The Mules (1-0) will play University of Maine at Farmington at 10 a.m. Saturday and then take on Maine Maritime Academy at 1 p.m.  MMA took a 3-0 win over UMF in the other match Friday.
 
Sophomore setter Kate Pleasants had 26 assists, 12 defensive digs, and five service aces to lead Colby in the 25-19, 25-10, 25-16 victory. Pleasants was at her best in the first set, setting up five kills apiece for Maggie Taylor and Mackie Sewell. Taylor finished with seven kills, had 10 digs, and also had five aces. Sewell finished with eight kills for the winners.
 
Kate Bellerose had a team-high nine kills and finished with two solo blocks for Colby. Caitlin Burchill added seven kills and six digs, Ellie Linden had nine digs and two aces, and Emily Varni had 10 digs.
 
Gordon, which fell to 5-1 overall, received 20 assists from Andrea Amado. Chelsie Clemens had six kills, while teammate Alex Nawoichik added five kills.
 
Gordon takes on Maine Maritime at 10 a.m. Saturday and then closes out with Maine-Farmington at 1 p.m.