WINONA, Minn. - The Minnesota Morris volleyball team started their 2017 campaign with a bang as they collected two victories on the first day of the Ground Round Sugar Loaf Classic in Winona.

The Cougars faced tournament host Saint Mary's in the opening match and earned a straight sets victory over the MIAC school, 25-18, 25-15, 25-19.

Morgan Miller led a balanced Cougar hitting attack with 13 kills. Newcomer Rachel Mathias added 12 and Marissa Ekness collected seven. Layne Herrmann, last season's UMAC Rookie of the Year, had 29 assists and also chipped in with six digs. Reigining UMAC Defensive Player of the Year, Katie Reitsma, led with 10 digs.

In the late match on Friday, the Cougars went the distance to top the University of Chicago, a team who received votes in the AVCA national rankings.

Still riding the momentum of their first match sweep, the Cougars defeated the Maroons, 25-13 in the first set.

The teams split the next two sets and Chicago went overtime to even the match at two sets a piece with a 26-24 win in the fourth. UMM raced to a 6-1 edge in the deciding frame. Three kills from Ekness and another by Mia Frick helped give the Cougars the lead. Later, leading 12-7, a Maroon error, an Ekness kill, and a Reitsma ace closed out the set and match in favor of the Cougars.

Ekness led three Cougars in double figures with 22 kills. Mathias had 13 and Miller added 10. Herrmann had 48 assists. Reitsma dug out 25 balls. Sierra Nori collected 13 and Ekness totaled 12.

Play continues Saturday in Winona for the Cougars (2-0) with a 2 p.m. match against Luther followed by a match versus Ripon.