St. Ambrose got the 2022 season off to a great start by earning a 25-17, 25-18, 25-19 win at Hannibal-LaGrange Friday night. It marked the third straight season the Bees have started with a victory.

SAU was dominant in the road win, collecting 40 kills against just 16 hitting errors. The Trojans, meanwhile, totaled 15 kills and 16 errors.

Despite the stat discrepancy, the opening set was tied as late as 16-16 before the Bees finally broke free. A kill from Payton Wendt sparked a big Bee run. Jill Kavalauskas also had an ace during the seven-point run that opened a 23-16 lead.

After Hannibal-LaGrange stopped the spurt, kills from Mackenzie Grafton and Alexandria Horne closed out the set.

There was some early drama in the second set as well. Leading just 11-10, St. Ambrose used a kill and ace from Grafton as part of a 3-0 run to find some breathing room. SAU led by at least two points the rest of the set in taking a 2-0 lead.

The Bees spotted the Trojans the first three points of the final set before rallying. Kavalauskas had four kills, Emily Pobanz put down two and Hannah Sondag recorded an ace as part of a 14-3 run that opened up a 14-6 lead. Hannibal battled back to get within 17-15, but Grafton came through with another kill and an ace to help SAU win three straight points. Grace Beitzel had the final two Bee kills to close out the win.

Kavalauskas led St. Ambrose with 13 kills. Grafton also reached double figures with 10.

Five other Bees each had multiple kills. Wendt and Meredith Umland each registered four, Pobanz and Beitzel had three each, and Horne added two.

Neenah Primas, who had the team's other kill, and Sondag shared team-high assist honors with 16 apiece. Macy Watkins was credited with three.

Grafton and Riley Epperson each picked up five digs while Kavalauskas came up with three. Isabelle Todd, Lexi Huntley and Kylie Brosius each had two.

Grafton (four) and Kavalauskas (three) combined for seven of the team's 10 aces.

SAU's trip continues with two matches Saturday. The Bees will play Graceland at 1 p.m. and host College of the Ozarks at 3 p.m. in Point Lookout, Mo.