DENTON, Texas (Aug. 24, 2018) – Texas Woman's University volleyball began the 2018 season against two strong teams in the Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs and the Northwood Timberwolves Friday at the SpringHill Suites Invitational at home in Kitty Magee Arena with  the Pioneers splitting a pair of matches in the season opener.
 
Southwestern Oklahoma State 3, Texas Woman's 2
 
Katy Ranes posted a career-high 62 assists along with 15 digs for a double-double in the season opener while Maggie Pyles reached a double-double with a match-high 22 kills and 15 digs in her Pioneer debut during a five-set thriller against Southwestern Oklahoma State. Bailey French totaled 28 digs for the match-high.
 
After dropping the first set (25-21) to SWOSU, TWU won sets two (27-25) and three (25-19) before the Bulldogs won set four (25-22) to force a fifth set. Before posting five unanswered points, TWU trailed SWOSU 10-5, but unfortunately fell short for a 15-10 match loss.
 
Coach Huebner said, "I think it was a great experience to start on our home court. It was wonderful to see the other sports come out to support us. Maggie Pyles was just incredible and Katy set a personal record in assists which was just as incredible."
 
Texas Woman's 3, Northwood 1
 
Pyles led the Pioneers with a match-high 17 kills along with a total of 12 digs for a double-double in the match while Bailey French posted a match-high 19 digs.
 
The Pioneers began the match by dropping the first set 25-18, but quickly changed the tone of the evening by winning sets two (25-14), three (25-19), and four (25-22) to take down Northwood in the last match of the evening.
 
Coach Huebner said, "We had some things to clean up in the second match. Obviously, Maggie was great, but Courtney Noel was also. Courtney had critical swings when we needed them the most. Trixie Ugbaja is an incredible blocker. Our defense was exceptional and her blocks definitely helped that. Tomorrow is going to be a grind; it's been a great start to the weekend and we look forward to playing in our favorite place to play."
 
Texas Woman's returns to the court Saturday, August 25 competing in a pair of matches; one at 2 pm against St. Edward's followed by another at 7 pm against Florida Institute of Technology.