LAKE FOREST, Ill. - For the fifth consecutive season, the Ripon College volleyball team has won their conference opener, defeating Lake Forest in four sets Friday night. The Red Hawks won the first set 25-17, before losing the second 19-25. They then won the pivotal third set, which featured 15 ties and four lead changes, 26-24, before finishing off the Foresters with a 25-22 win in set number four.

Ripon (11-5, 1-0 MWC) was led by Katie Berrell's 17 kills and 13 digs, while also finishing with a hitting percentage of .342. Paige Buddenhagen added 10 kills, while Abbi Williamson posted 32 assists. Williamson also led the team in digs with 21, while Stacie Klika and Kendra Holte garnered 19 and 14 digs, respectively. Kat Kulas played a key role at the net, recording three blocks (one solo).

Lake Forest (4-10, 0-1 MWC) had three players finish with double-digit kills. Grace Larson led the way with 18, while Brittany Avonts and Paige Jespersen added 14 and 11, respectively.

The Red Hawks will try to build on this victory Saturday when they'll travel to Grinnell College. Ripon will play Grinnell at Noon, before facing North Central (Minn.) in a non-conference match-up at 2 p.m.