STEVENS POINT – The UW-Stevens Point volleyball team opened the 2011 season with a pair of victories on Friday afternoon, defeating Marian University and Illinois Wesleyan by identical 3-0 scores. 

The Pointers opened the day with a straight set victory over the Sabres of Marian by scores of 25-15, 25-23, 25-12. The Pointers have now won back-to-back matches for the second year in a row.

Morgan Bartkowiak (Slinger, WI/Slinger) led the way with eight kills in the first match, followed by seven from Kati Rau (Dorchester, WI/Colby) and six from Christina Brinkman (Bristol, WI/Westosha Central). 

In the final match of the day, UWSP earned another 3-0 victory by scores of 25-19, 25-17, 25-18. 

UWSP opens the final day of the 2011 Pointer Invitational starting at 10 a.m. Saturday morning with a match-up against St. Kate's. The Pointers will then take a match off and face Ripon College at 2 p.m.