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After a long day of travel, it took the Muhlenberg volleyball some time to find its legs on the first day of the Leopard Invitational in La Verne, California. But once the Mules regained their form, they showed how well they can play, scoring an impressive five-set win against Lynchburg.

The team left campus at 8:30 in the morning on Thursday and didn't check into its hotel until 9:30 at night. Less than 13 hours later, Muhlenberg (13-5) took the court against Whittier and could be excused for some sluggishness in a three-set loss.

The Mules were much sharper in their second match against a Lynchburg squad that recently took nationally ranked Mary Washington to five sets. Muhlenberg dropped the first set, 25-15, but came back to win the next two by identical 25-18 scores. After the Hornets (11-5) pulled out the fourth set, 28-26, the Mules grabbed the lead early and went on to win the fifth set, 15-10.

It was the third time in the last five matches that Muhlenberg won after dropping the first set.
 
Freshman Maggie Enestvedt had an outstanding all-around match, with 16 kills, 7 service aces, 7 digs and 7 blocks. Sophomore Kelly Tornetta came off the bench to record 14 kills and hit .303 in the last four sets.
 
Senior Allison Glass added 10 kills and 12 digs. Sophomore Shannon Hubert also had a double-double, with 46 assists and 18 digs, while senior Elizabeth Garrison recorded a team-high 21 digs.
 
Sophomore Erica Schultz and freshman Madison Forrest finished with five blocks apiece and were especially strong at the net in the decisive fifth set.
 
The Mules scored five of their 15 points in the fifth set on blocks. Schultz teamed up with Enestvedt, Tornetta and Hubert for three blocks that helped give Muhlenberg a 9-8 lead. After a Lynchburg service error, back-to-back blocks by Forrest and Enestvedt extended the margin to 12-8.
 
One kill by Glass and two by Enestvedt closed out the match.
 
Freshman Tara Register led the Mules with 8 kills in the Whittier match.