There is only one thing bad about Warsaw's preseason volleyball workouts and practice. They are in the offseason.

The Tiger veterans were itching to get the season under way, while the coaches wanted to get a look at the younger players. Both happened in a successful way as Warsaw opened the 1998 season with wins over Churubusco (15-5, 15-13) and Northfield (15-5, 15-7) in a three-way match Tuesday at the Tiger Den.

In the other match, Churubusco beat Northfield 15-13, 15-2.

With tough invitationals at Mishawaka, Ben Davis and Clinton Prairie on the horizon, depth and experience is going to be big for the Tigers this season. And Warsaw coach Jamie Byron is well aware of that fact, working different combinations in the season opener and giving significant playing time to the entire roster.

"I was trying to get my younger kids a lot of the experience that they really don't have as far as high school ball," Byron said. "They worked hard in the offseason, and these are two good matches for me to work them into. I knew we would struggle in second games of matches just because it is a new chemistry out there."

But the offseason workouts are nothing compared to what a player faces in live matches.

"It is a whole different ballgame when we start the season," Byron said. "I thought they responded well. I saw some nervousness in the huddle before the match, but after we started and the whistle blew, they were serious and ready to start.

"I think we are going to establish the depth even more there (Mishawaka) because they are going to have to get used to those types of teams and the caliber of those teams," she said. "It is not going to be like what we faced tonight. It will be more intense."

Warsaw opened up against Churubusco and quickly jumped out to a 9-4 lead before cruising for a 15-5 win. After gaining a 12-3 advantage in the second game, Byron put reserves in, and the Tigers struggled. Churubusco ran off 10 straight points to take a 13-12 advantage.

Byron put her starters back in, and Warsaw got the next three points for the 15-13 win.

Nancy Mason, Kyla Stanley and Brooke Sutton led the Tigers with four kills each. Mason added four blocks, while Sutton had three.

Against Northfield, Byron didn't use so much of a wholesale substitution. Rather, she just sat starters Jessica Zaugg and Sutton for the first game, and starters Nerecia Taylor and Stanley for game No. 2.

The result? Warsaw cruised against the Norse and was still able to work on different combinations.

"For the first time out, I thought our intensity was very good," Byron said. "The seniors were really looking forward to this. They have been practicing for three weeks now, and it is always nice to get them in. They are always ready for the first one. They were into getting the season started."

Liz Owens and Mason had five kills and three blocks, while Sutton got four digs. Zaugg added 13 assists and Amie Poling got eight.

Warsaw (2-0) hosts Fort Wayne Snider Thursday.

The Warsaw JV team also won two matches over Northfield (15-5, 15-6) and Churubusco (15-0, 15-8).

Jacquie Burns racked up 25 assists in the two matches. Myra Sells had 12 kills in the two matches, while Janna Knisely had 12 digs and Hilary O'Connell added eight digs. Ashley Hart chipped in with four aces. [[In-content Ad]]