ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. --- The Ave Maria women's volleyball team opened their season on Friday night with a pair of matches in the Robert Morris Eagles Invitational. William Penn topped AMU in their opener before the Gyrenes took down host Robert Morris in five sets in their nightcap.
 
Ave Maria came out a little slow in their first of the two games on Friday evening. They fell to Williams Penn Statesmen, 3-0, in their opener. The Gyrenes had nine errors in the first set before hitting at a higher percentage in  game two and three against WPU. AMU committed just seven attack errors in the final two sets.
 
William Penn took the first set 25-15. Both teams had their runs in the second set and a four-point burst by AMU had the Gyrenes in position to take the second stanza, 22-22. WPU took the final three points of the set. The Blue and Green fell behind 17-9 in the third set before rallying to pull within three at 22-19. The Statesmen won three of the final four points to take the set 25-20.
 
Erica Chenard and Jenna Barnak had nine and eight kills, respectively. Cassie Davis tallied 16 assists while Daniella Jaramillo recorded 18 digs.
 
In game two of the evening, Ave Maria was able to grab the early advantage. AMU jumped out to a 15-9 lead only to see Robert Morris rally to take the lead by one, 16-15. Trialing 20-17, the Gyrenes scored the final eight points on Sydney Clark's serve to take the set 25-20.
 
Robert Morris took the second set 25-20 and the third set 27-25. AMU had a chance to take the third when they led 24-22 but three straight points by the Eagles gave RMU a one point edge. They won five of the last six point in the set to take it 27-25.
 
AMU led the fourth set throughout and three quick points later in the set gave the Gyrenes a 21-17 advantage. The Blue and Green won four of the final five points to take the set 25-20 and to even the match at two-sets apiece.
 
In the fifth and deciding set, Chenard set the pace early with two quick kills to put AMU in front. Leading 14-10, AMU saw Robert Morris fight off three match points before closing it out on a Barnak kill.
 
Four Gyrenes finished with double-digit kills led by Barnak with 15. Jaramillo had 28 digs followed by Clark with 21. Lauren Ruby finished with a triple-double in game two with 13 kills, 24 assists, and 18 digs.
 
Ave Maria wraps ups the weekend with games against Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) and Trinity International (Ill.) on Saturday. First action for the Gyrenes is at 11 a.m.