MILWAUKEE – The MSOE women's volleyball team opened its 2016 season with a 25-18, 25-16, 25-18 loss to Ripon Wednesday evening at the Kern Center.

The Raiders (0-1) posted a strong first set, but could not hold on against the Redhawks (4-0), who then pulled away in the second and third sets to remain undefeated on the season.

Sophomores Elsey Kohlman and Hannah Pekarek had five kills each to lead MSOE. Senior Sarabeth Haworth and junior Aleah Quast each reached double-figures in digs, notching 13 and 12, respectively.

Katie Berrell had a match-best 14 kills on .419 hitting for the visitors. Paige Buddenhagen added nine kills.

The first set was back-and-forth to start the match and was eventually tied at 15-15 before Ripon closed out the frame on a 10-3 run. Then, in the second, the Redhawks broke a 5-5 tie with a 5-0 run and added another 7-2 stretch to pull away. The final period saw them open on a 5-1 run and never look back.

MSOE attacked at a .035 clip on the night, while Ripon finished at .214.

The Raiders return to the court this weekend at the UW-Oshkosh Pizza Hut Classic on Friday and Saturday.