Last weekend marked the 2013 season opener for the Missouri Southern volleyball team at the Pittsburg State Invite.

Out of four matches, the Lions ended their weekend winning one and losing three.

The first win of the season was against the Ouachita Baptist Tigers, and after going through all five games, the Lions came out on top.

Sophomore setter Abby Finder acquired 46 assists and 13 digs against the Tigers, accompanied by junior outside hitter Katie Politte with 21 kills and 22 digs. The two Lions landed their first double-doubles of the season.

The Lions lost five of the 16 games they played by five or fewer points.

“Keeping up our intensity and communication will help us win those close matches,” junior libero Dani Severns said.

Although the first weekend of games ended with only one win, the coaches and players have high spirits about their upcoming matches.

The Lions will travel to the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) to compete in the 2013 Hampton Inn Invitational this weekend, where they will face teams outside of the MIAA.

Their first match is today at 3 p.m. against Kentucky Wesleyan, and the Lions play again at 7 p.m. against the host team, UAM.

The Invitational continues into Saturday, when the Lions will compete against Union University and Southern Arkansas University.

“We have another opportunity to have a big weekend in Arkansas,” said senior middle hitter Erin Rice. “We have been working hard all week in practice fixing our mistakes and fine-tuning everything else.”

After this weekend, the Lions have their first conference game to look forward to against the University of Central Missouri Mules on Tuesday, Sept. 17.