Franklin, Ind. - The Franklin College volleyball team lost in straight sets to Spalding University to open the 2016 season on Thursday inside the Spurlock Center.

The Eagles relied on a .268 team hitting percentage to win the three sets by 25-13, 25-7, 25-17 scores.

Junior Amanda Lelivelt led the Grizzlies with six kills. Junior Lauren Harmon and sophomore Sydney Stuckwisch each chipped in five kills.

Senior Ashley Bazier tallied 19 assists and recorded nine digs defensively.

Sophomore Libby Stahl led the Grizzlies with 14 digs, while Harmon added seven digs.

Spalding was led by Jessica Diehl's nine kills, while Victoria Heitzman recorded eight kills.

Franklin returns to action on Friday, September 2 when it begins play at the Raven Invitational at Anderson University with matches against Waynesburg University at 6 p.m. followed by Kalamazoo College at 8 p.m.