It couldn't have worked out better for the Hamline volleyball team this weekend in  Northfield. On Saturday, the Pipers followed the script they used on Friday, winning a pair of matches -- both by impressive 3-0 margins -- over Crown and Martin Luther -- to break 4-0 from the gate. 

Head coach Maggie Meixl stretched her bench and used many players to help HU come out flying in both matches. Madison Hurrle continued an impressive first weekend with 11 kills and Morgan Coleman had a nifty double of 25 assists and 10 digs to help Hamline storm past Crown by scores of 25-11, 25-21, 25-15. In the first set. HU never trailed. Crown grabbed an early 5-0 lead in the middle encounter but HU snapped back to earn the verdict and finished off their foes with a solid third set effort. Karly Bihner and Sammie Coffler had six digs as part of a 42 dig effort. The 4-0 start is Hamline's best break from the gate since 2014.

The Pipers were swept by MLC last year. Hurrle (12 kills) and Megan Rubbelke (27 assists) led the way to avoid a repeat as HU grinded away for a pair of 25-18 wins followed by a 25-10 blowout (with just two errors) in the final set. The Pipers hit an impressive .352 against MLC with Sydney Larson adding nine kills to back up Hurrle, a freshman, who finished the weekend with 46 kills, an average of 3.29 per set. The Kimball, Minn. native ranks second in the MIAC in Kills and third in Kills per set after the first weekend of play. (Gabby Robinson was next on the Piper hit list with 31 kills.) She also led the Pipers with 14 total blocks. 

Megan Anderson had a league high 13 service aces (0.93 per set). As a team, HU recorded 43 service aces, also tops in the loop.

Hamline continues on the road next weekend playing three matches in a tournament at Wisconsin-Superior.  The Pipers face the host Yellowjackets on Friday, September 7. The next day, HU takes on Marian and Lakehead, the latter being an exhibition match. The MIAC opener is September 12 at Gustavus Adolphus.