Warsaw’s Caroline Mayer (13) celebrates with Peyton Adamiec (orange) and Haley Peterson (12) after a point Monday night against Leo. The Lady Tigers would sweep Leo, 3-0, to open its season. (Photos by Mike Deak)

WARSAW – There wasn’t much flash, but there didn’t need to be. In a very workmanlike season opener, Warsaw rode momentum in spurts and let its senior’s play do the talking in a 3-0 volleyball win against Leo Monday night at the Tiger Den.

Warsaw’s Erin Peugh attacks Leo.

Without several elements that have made the Warsaw volleyball program stand out in recent years, the Tigers used a new formula to compound its victory over a very game Leo side. Lacking pure height, Warsaw rotated well at the net and kept Leo from mounting any sustained offensive attacking. Floor leadership wasn’t reserved for any one player, but from several voices that didn’t need to stomp and fuss after every point.

For Warsaw coach Mike Howard, it was a refreshing start to the season.

“When we cleaned up (errors) throughout the night, we were a lot more efficient at the net,” said Howard. “We could get into system and we’ve got some pretty strong hitters at the net. When we can get to the ball, and not be completely predictable, we can do some nice things offensively.”

Taking that step forward entering her senior season, Caroline Mayer put the pressure of much of the match on her shoulders. Finding opportune times to make a big play, a kill by Mayer at 25-all in the first game put the Tigers at advantage, and she later closed out the game with an ace for a 28-26 final.

Cassie Hoag led Warsaw with four aces.

An ace in game two by Mayer put Warsaw on top 25-20, which took the wind out of any of Leo’s sails. Four of Warsaw’s final five points in the second game came at the hands of Mayer, who finished with 13 kills, 13 digs, three blocks and three aces.

Warsaw spread out an 11-7 lead in the third game, to later take a six-point lead after Brynn Durecki scored a pair of aces. Mayer later dropped in three more kills as Warsaw capped its opening win.

“(Caro)Lina had a great night,” Howard said of Mayer. “Just steady play. There are lots of highlights. She didn’t let a negative play turn into two or three negative plays. That really speaks to her growth and mental toughness as a player as she matured over the years.”

Mayer’s night stood out, but several others made an impact. Peyton Adamiec stepped forward with 20 digs to lead the defense, and also hoisted seven assists. Cassie Hoag did most of the set-up work, accounting for 28 assists and added 10 digs and four aces to boot. Courtney Steffensmeier and Haley Peterson combined for 12 kills and Lexie Day had five blocks.

The JV also had themselves a good start to the year, beating Leo 25-18, 25-20. Alicia Sikora led Warsaw with nine digs and nine assists while Kacy Bragg added five assists, two kills and two digs. Nikki Parrett led the team with eight kills.

The freshman team from Warsaw completed the sweep of Leo, winning in three games, 22-25, 25-13, 15-7. Stats were not provided from the freshman matchup.

Warsaw (1-0) will stay home to host Huntington North Thursday, a 6 p.m. JV start at the Tiger Den.

Warsaw’s Jordyn Lindeman looks to drop a shot through the Leo blockers.