SEASIDE, Calif. – Dominican women's volleyball opened their 2023 season Friday afternoon with a double-header in the 2023 Otter Invitational in Seaside, Calif. The Penguins matched up with CSU Monterey Bay in the first match, then to conclude the day they faced off against Northwest Nazarene.

CSUMB 3, DUC 0

Junior Ella Heckman led the Penguins in the first match of the season collecting seven kills to go with one block. The Washington native was all over the court in this one providing some veteran experience to her teammates throughout the match.

Fellow juniors Camille Rivers and Miekayla Surnip were active in this match as well. Rivers led the Penguins in assists with 10, while Surnip had a team high eight digs. Freshman Braenwynne Matthews made her collegiate debut by collecting four kills which was tied for second on the team behind Heckman.

NNU 3, DUC 1

In the final game of the double-header the Penguins fought hard against Northwestern Nazarene University. Not letting their first match get to them, Dominican came out the gates strong in the first set winning 25-22.

Following up on a strong outing in the first match, Rivers came out against NNU with the same energy. The Vacaville native led the team in both assists (14) and digs (16). Sophomore Avery Schneider led the Penguins with 10 kills and swatted two blocks.

The Penguins wrap up the 2023 Otter Invitational tomorrow Sep. 2^nd as they face Minnesota State University-Mankato at 2 p.m.

Dominican will return home for their home opener Wednesday Sep. 6 at 7 p.m. against Sonoma State University.