Box Score Colorado College opened its 2014 season on high note with a pair of sweeps over Blackburn College and the University of Minnesota Morris.
 
In a match that lasted 48 minutes and saw all 16 Tigers on the floor, CC opened the season with a 25-8, 25-15, 25-12 victory over Blackburn.
 
Middle hitters sophomore Keli Sherwood and senior Kristen Liberty led the attack against the Beavers with seven and six kills, respectively. Sherwood also led the Tigers defensively at the net having a hand on five blocks to tie her career high in block assists.
 
Junior Sophie Merrifield led CC in the back row with 16 digs and served a career-high five aces against Blackburn. On the day Merrifield combined for a team-best 36 digs and eight service aces.
 
CC capped the day off with a 25-18, 25-14, 25-14 sweep over Minnesota Morris, who won its first match of the tournament earlier that afternoon against Simpson College in four sets (25-19, 18-25, 25-15, 25-22).
 
The Tigers had three spikers leading the team with 11 kills each against the Cougars: juniors Emily Phillips and Courtney Birkett and sophomore Abbe Holtze. 
 
Phillips was also strong at the net with four block assists and a solo block, while Holtze and Birkett added strength to the back row with 11 and 10 digs, respectively.
 
Freshman setter Sarah Barker made her college debut on the day leading the team with 39 assists against Minnesota Morris. On the day, Barker had 54 assists, splitting time with sophomore Rebecca Watson in the first day's match.
 
The Cougars were led by Emily Auch and Abby Tietz with seven kills each. Auch led the team for the day with 17 kills and added 23 digs on defense.
 
The Tigers return to action on Saturday as the host Simpson College at noon and Oswego State University at 6 p.m. in Reid Arena.