The Nebraska Wesleyan University volleyball team began the Rayna Cain era with a great start to the 2012 season as they went 3-1 at the opening Sugar Loaf Classic in Winona, Minn., on Aug. 31-Sept. 1.

After falling in straight sets to NCAA III No. 7 St. Thomas in the opening match of the season, the Prairie Wolves reeled off three consecutive victories. NWU defeated Wisconsin-La Crosse, 3-0, on Friday night. On Saturday the Prairie Wolves swept Simpson College, 3-0, then defeated the host school, Saint Mary's, 3-1 to finish the classic with three victories.

The disappointing start to the weekend did not hurt the Prairie Wolves. NWU hit a dismal -.019 against St. Thomas but came back to hit .344 as a team against UW-LaCrosse. Katelyn Walsh led the way with 13 kills as NWU posted 25-17, 25-17, 25-14 wins.

Saturday got off to a great start with the sweep of Simpson in scores of 25-16, 25-19, 25-19. Walsh had 11 kills, while Mackenzie Hite and Cody Long both had 18 digs. Alex Springman handed out 35 assists.

Saint Mary's took set one, 25-18, in the final match of the classic but NWU bounced back to take the next three sets 25-16, 25-20, 25-22.

Walsh had another huge match with a double-double of 22 kills and 14 digs. Hite recorded 40 digs, while Mackenzie Aston had 20. Springman had a new career-high with 55 assists.

Both Hannah Softley and Mackenzie Hite were named to the All-Tournament team.