If you were to draw up the start of the season for the Nipissing Lakers women's volleyball team, it would look something like Saturday night.

The Lakers opened up the season with a sweep of the Lakehead Thunderwolves to kick off the season in style.

The Lakers, who are now 1-0, controlled the match from start to finish and even used a comeback in the third and final set for the win.

In the first set, the teams went back and forth until late, when the score was tied 22-22 and the Lakers went on a run to claim the set 25-22.

In the second, the early part of the set – until about the 10-9 mark – the teams were even, but the Lakers took control and ran away with the set.

At one point, Nipissing led 16-12 and cruised to the 25-17 victory and control of the match.

In the third, Lakehead came out strong and led the set into the late stages, but a strong late push by Nipissing, including eight of the last 10 points decided the set and gave the Lakers the sweep, winning 25-21.

It was a balanced attack from the Lakers offensively, with every started earning a kill – even Libero Christina Caruso.

Rookie Shayla Kessler had a strong game, picking up 10 kills and 12 points, while veteran and captain Tracy Hammerton led the team with 14 points, thanks to 10 kills, two blocks and a service ace.

Fellow captain Erika Lapierre added six kills and rookie Stephanie Armstrong was solid in her debut as setter, grabbing 27 assists.

Nipissing will try to earn wins two and three next weekend when they hit the road and travel to York and Trent for their first road matches of the season.