SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- The Brandeis University volleyball team got the 2005-06 season off to a successful start tonight as the Judges defeated Roger Williams University, 3-1, in the first varsity contest of the season at the Springfield College Invitational.

Brandeis (1-0) defeated the hwaks in four games to avenge a season-opening loss in 2004. The game scores were 30-20, 22-30, 30-20, 30-26. Rookie outside hitter Lorraine Wingenbach (Buffalo, N.Y.) led the Judges in the offensive end with a team-high 15 kills. She also contributed nine digs in her first collegiate match. Classmate Violette Ruggiero (Paradise Valley, Ariz.) had 22 assists in her first collegiate match as a setter. Ruggiero also led the team with seven service aces and was second on the squad with 10 digs.

Defensively, senior co-captain Jenna Polinsky (White Plains, N.Y.) had 11 digs to lead the team, while sophomore Jenny Sandler (Stafford, Va.) followed up her stellar rookie season with nine digs and five service aces.

Tomorrow, coach Michelle Kim's charges take on Suffolk University, Rhode Island College and host Springfield in the round-robin tournament.