JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The University of Louisiana Monroe volleyball team completed Day 1 of the Jefferson's & State Farm Invitational with a 2-0 record after sweeping Alcorn State in straight sets, 3-0 (25-16, 25-9, 25-11) Friday afternoon (Sept. 1). The Warhawks defeated Mississippi Valley in straight sets, 3-0, in the opening match of the tournament Friday morning.

It marked the first time ULM had won back-to-back matches since last September (won three-straight matches from Sept. 17-24, with victories over Jacksonville State, Georgia Southern and Georgia State).

As a team, ULM hit nearly .300 (.297; 31-9-74) for the match. The Warhawks got off to a quick start, hitting better than .300 in the first (.321; 11-2-28) and second (.312; 13-3-32) sets. By comparison, Alcorn State hit -.027 (15-17-74) for the match.

"We were much cleaner in all aspects this afternoon," ULM head coach Patrick Hiltz said. "Our focus on fundamentals allowed us to make good contacts and put ourselves in scoring situations."

ULM sophomore Mikaela Worley recorded a match-best 13 kills while hitting an impressive .476 (13-3-21). Worley added four digs.

Two other Warhawks hit better than .300 for the match, including red-shirt sophomore Catherine Griffith .333 (3-0-9) and junior Sarah Woods .333 (2-0-6). Griffith also contributed three service aces and five digs.

"Mikaela did a fantastic job of taking what was available, and she performed well in serve receive today as well," Hiltz said. "She played a smart, mature match.

"Our opposites played relaxed as well in this match. We will certainly need them moving forward, so it was really nice to see them start to find some rhythm."

ULM got solid contributions throughout the lineup, as junior Tara Jenkins was credited with a match-high 14 assists and sophomore Albany Schaffer led the team in service aces (4) and digs (9).

Saturday, ULM (2-8) opens Day 2 against North Carolina A&T at 9 a.m. before concluding tournament play against host Jacksonville State at 4:30 p.m.

"We will need to continue to get better tomorrow," Hiltz said. "Both our opponents tomorrow are a bit stronger than what we saw today. Getting two wins today was the goal. We took care of business and did what we were supposed to do. It's the same goal tomorrow. I believe if we continue to play with the kind of focus and intensity we had today, then we will be fine tomorrow."