PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Lewis & Clark Pioneers launched out to an early start and never looked back in their season opener on Friday at Pamplin Sports Center. Hosting part of the Oregon Trail Classic tournament, the Pios defeated the Johnson & Wales Wildcats, 25-14, 25-21, 25-11, to win their first game of the year and the first for head coach Emily Hayes.

The Pios followed the first game with another straight-sets victory, 25-9, 25-20, 25-20, against the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks.

Lewis & Clark's returners were outstanding to start the year. Kortney Meyer hit .538 and had eight kills with one error in her first match of the season, while Casey Myszkowski hit .375 with nine kills. Mikayla Lopez had nine aces in the two matches combined.

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Key Moment

In both games, Lewis & Clark opened to big leads in the initial set. Against the Wildcats, the Pioneers led 11-3 early behind the front row of Makena Ohlmaier, Myszkowski and Meyer, all of whom had kills. Against the Scarlet Hawks, Lewis & Clark didn't allow double digits and had a big Lopez serving run to lead 12-4 early.

Pio Points

• Michelle McGinn had her first career aces in the game against Johnson & Wales to go with six digs, third-most on the team
• Numerous freshmen, including Sydney Richardson, Jenna Timmerman, Kate Kimbro, Kendall Malone, Ka'anelaokapu'uwai Pakaki-Pias, Isabel Artiaga and Mollee Chenoweth played in their first collegiate game
• Sam Yorke had five total blocks, which matched her entire total as a sophomore (when she was a setter) and on a good pace after having 16 all of last year

Looking Ahead

The Pioneers have two games on Saturday against UW-Stout and Mills before heading to the Washington and Lee Invitational in Lexington, Va. next weekend.