BATESVILLE, Ark. - The No. 18 Freed-Hardeman Lady Lion volleyball team opened its season with a straight-sets win over Lyon (Ark.) College on Saturday afternoon (25-21, 25-22, 25-23).

FHU controlled much of the first set, taking a 6-5 lead on an Allie Moss kill and held that lead for the rest of the way. After four-point run gave the Lady Lions a 13-8 lead, Lyon closed the gap to one point but the Lady Lions pulled away by taking six of the next seven points.

The Scots pulled within two points before Amanda Cunningham's service ace closed out the set.

The second set stayed tight until FHU took points in five of six rallies to lead 19-14. Lyon, however, battled back to tie the set at 21-21. A kill by Fernanda Ferreira put the Lady Lions back on top, and a Rachel Jetton ace and a Kara England kill followed to put FHU at set point. Two rallies later, Ferreira put away another kill to end the set.

Lyon started quickly in the third set, taking a 15-10 lead. FHU, though, battled back and tied it at 16-16. The teams traded points for the next eight rallies until the Lady Lions took four in a row to get to match point. The Scots stayed in the match with three straight points but an attack error by Gina Reed gave the Lady Lions a season-opening victory.

"It felt good to get that first win of the season with such a new group," said FHU head coach Todd Humphry. "I'm proud of the way we played and am looking forward to our next match."

Ferreira led the attack with nine kills while freshmen Moss and England has seven and six kills respectively.

The Lady Lions return to action with a visit to Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) University on Sept. 6 at 6:00 PM.