BLACKSBURG, VA - The Coastal Carolina University volleyball team began its 2008 campaign with a 3-0 (25-4, 25-9, 25-7) win over Winston-Salem State Friday, Aug. 29 at Cassell Coliseum. It was the first match for the Chanticleers (1-0) at the Hawthorn Suites Hokie Invitational in Blacksburg, Va. 

The Chanticleers never trailed earning their first win of the season. Sophomore Chelsy Kimes (Munster, Ind./Munster) had a match-high 13 kills, while junior Jill Nyhof (Alpharetta, Ga./Northview) registered an efficient six kills on seven attacks.

The Chanticleers powered through the first set with a 14-1 run, building a comfortable lead. , taking the first set 25-4. Kimes led the attack with five kills, while senior Brett Starbuck (Glen Allen, Va./J.R. Tucker) tallied six digs.

The Chanticleers gained an early lead to start off the second set with a 17-6 run, which silenced the Winston-Salem (0-1) attack. Sophomore Amanda Russell's kill put Coastal Carolina ahead 22-9, leading the Chants to a 25-9 victory in the second set.

In the final set, the Chanticleers and the Lady Rams traded the first few points, but a kill by Nyhof put Coastal Carolina up 3-2, starting a six point swing to give the Chants a 9-2 advantage. Freshmen Kelsie Mauck (Muncie, Ind./Delta) and Erika Lightsey (Monument, Colo./Air Academy) connected for the final point of the match, as Lightsey kill sealed the set 25-7 for the Chanticleers.  

Starbuck registered a match-high 14 digs, while junior Meagan Tracey (Scottsdale, Ariz./Horizon) picked up 20 assists.

Winston-Salem struggled to find a rhythm, registering five kills and 18 digs as a team, earning only 20 points in the entire match.

The Chants are back on the court Saturday, Aug. 30 at 10 a.m., when they face Maryland-Eastern Shore. In the evening, Coastal Carolina will play their final match of the tournament taking on Virginia Tech at 7 p.m.