The WNMU Mustangs opened up their 2010 campaign against the Montana State University – Billings Yellowjackets Thursday night at the Vulcan Classic in Hilo, Hawaii. WNMU took the first two games, 25-21 and 27-25, but then they let their guard down. The Yellowjackets stung back and took the next two games, 25-23 and 25-19. Three game-turning kills by Ziona Verhulsdonk (Kailua, HI, Hawaii Preparatory Academy) in the fifth game pushed the Mustangs to victory, 15-11.

Verhusldonk finished the match with seven kills.

WNMU is now 1-0 on the season.

Newcomer Angelina Pulu (Long Beach, CA, Robert A. Millikan High School) had a sensational night both on offense and defense. She posted 18 kills on her 42 attempts from the outside (.238) and led the team in digs with 22. She also had four of the team's 14 service aces.

Also an outside hitter, senior Natali Murdock (Phoenix, AZ, Pinnacle High School), notched 18 kills (.111) while libero Marilee Frost (Long Beach, CA, Robert A. Millikan High School) recorded 20 digs and a team high five service aces.

Handing the ball to Pulu and Murdock the entire night was freshman setter Alyssa Meihack (Fallon, NV, Churchill County High School). She led the match with 46 assists.

The Mustangs finished the victory with 10 team blocks. HeatHeather Rux (Cottonwood, AZ, Mingus Union High School) had five block assists and one solo block.

Click here for complete game statistics.