After going to five sets three times in their first five matches of the season, the Muhlenberg volleyball team opted for a less dramatic approach on the first day of the 21st Buttermaker Tournament.

The Mules (6-1) recorded 3-0 sweeps of both FDU-Florham and Stevenson and did not allow their opponents to score 20 points in any of the six sets. 

The sweep of Stevenson, a team that is receiving votes in the Division III poll, was particularly impressive. Muhlenberg won 25-10, 25-18, 25-16 to defeat the Mustangs for the second time this season. Stevenson, which lost two matches all of last season, hadn't lost to the same team twice in a year since 2014.

Fueling the Mules in the first set against Stevenson was a long service run by sophomore Maya Illovsky. Muhlenberg trailed 7-6 before reeling off 16 straight points to take a commanding 22-7 lead. Illovsky served three aces during the run, which also featured four kills by junior Laura Boll and three by senior Shannon Hubert. 

Muhlenberg went on to win that set, 25-10, then scored the final four points of the second set - capped by Boll's ace - to pull away. The Mules were in complete control in the third set, leading 24-12 before Stevenson scored four points at the end to make the score more respectable.

Hubert finished with eight kills - one off her career high - in only 12 attempts to go along with 28 assists. Boll led a balanced attack with 10 kills, and junior Madison Forrest had a strong match with five kills and three blocks. Sophomore Kendall Applegate matched her two-day-old career high with 12 digs.

All but two Mules played in the sweep of FDU, with Forrest recording eight kills to lead the attack. Boll and senior Kelly Tornetta added seven apiece, with Boll and Illovsky each pulling up 16 digs.