VILLANOVA, Pa. – It was a successful home opener for Villanova volleyball, dispatching Maryland Eastern Shore in straight sets (25-14, 25-14, 25-23) at the Jake Nevin Field House on Wednesday evening.

"It feels good to get this win tonight," head coach Josh Steinbach said. "We're still working some things out and I thought we looked a lot better tonight. Now we're excited to prepare for a big match at home on Friday night."

Abby Harrell and Skylar Gerhardt led the way for Villanova (3-1) with 11 kills each, while Kiera Booth totaled eight terminations on .538 hitting. Andrea Campos contributed 28 assists, Elizabeth Feczko led all players with nine digs and Gerhardt put forth four of the match's eight service aces.

The 'Cats hopped out to an early advantage in the opening stanza, going up 14-4 to begin the match. Behind five kills in the frame from Harrell, Villanova cruised to a 25-14 set victory to go up by one.

Following a close start to the second with VU leading just 7-6, it was all Wildcats from there on out as they went 18-8 the rest of the way and finished out the period on a 6-0 run to take a two set advantage.

UMES captured an 8-6 edge to start the third stanza, but the 'Cats used a 7-0 run in the middle of the frame to snatch back a 14-9 lead. Villanova got some of its first year players some action in the final period, with Annika Veurink making her collegiate debut and Marly Smith putting up her first career kill as VU delivered a sweep with a 25-23 set win.

The victory marks Villanova's second over the Hawks, bringing VU's all-time record against Eastern Shore to 2-0.

UP NEXT: The Wildcats will remain at home to host the Catholic Challenge, welcoming Notre Dame and Santa Clara to the Main Line for contests on Friday and Sunday.