POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – The Stephens College Stars volleyball team secured their first win of the season during the final day of the College of the Ozarks Fall Classic Tournament. After dropping their opening match of the day to the College of the Ozarks 0-3 (20-25, 16-25, 21-25), the Stars rebounded with a 3-0 victory over Avila University to end the tournament on a high note.

In their first match on Saturday, the Stars' offense managed 29 kills but couldn't keep pace with the Bobcats' 43 kills. Rylee Collins led the Stars with six kills, while Amari Branch-Autman contributed three blocks. Setter AJ Hanninen tallied 15 assists, and libero Jatnna Pena-Perez added 24 digs to her impressive weekend total.

The Stars' final match against Avila University saw Stephens claim their first victory of the 2024 season. The Stars took control early, winning the first set 25-19 after a pivotal five-point run initiated by Macie Trimble. The second set was a tightly contested battle, with Trimble delivering a decisive kill down the line to secure a 25-23 win.

The Stars continued their momentum in the third set, which opened with a kill from junior transfer Natalija Obradovic. Stephens maintained their edge, finishing the set 25-20 and clinching their first win of the season.

Jamie Russell led the Stars' offensive efforts in the finale with 10 kills on a .381 hitting percentage. Hanninen recorded 18 assists, while Pena-Perez added another 14 digs to her record.

"We moved through adversity during a tough weekend," said head coach Maggie Hans. "We faced strong competition and learned from our losses. With the win over Avila, we are bouncing back and becoming a new team."

The win marks Hans' first as head coach of the Stephens College volleyball team. The Stars will look to build on this momentum as they return to action on Sept. 3, traveling to Springfield, Mo., to face Evangel University at 7 p.m.