Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 HUNTSVILLE — Sam Houston opened the season Friday against Prairie View, and the Bearkats already looked in midseason form.
 
The Bearkat Invitational kicked off with Sam Houston easily cruising past the Panthers in straight sets 25-13, 25-19, 25-19. The Kats fell 3-0 in the nightcap to UIW.
 
Sam Houston will wrap up the tournament with one match Saturday against long-time rival Stephen F. Austin. The match is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.
 
 
Sam Houston 3, Prairie View 0
Newcomer Lylah Washington made an immediate impact for the Kats. The Lehigh transfer led the way with 11 kills, while Alyssa Fielder added seven.
 
Sam Houston didn't look rusty in the first set. Prairie View never really threatened, and Washington put the set away with two straight kills for the 1-0 lead.
 
The Kats closed out the second set with kills by Fielder, Fowler and Washington. Sam Houston won four consecutive points to seize control of the final set.
 
Northwestern State transfer Piper Boydstun helped guide the attack with 19 assists, and Fowler had 16. McKenzie Morant finished with five blocks, and Hannah Baker had 11 digs.
 
 
UIW 3, Sam Houston 0
The Cardinals took control of the match early to close out day one of the Bearkat Invitational with a 3-0 victory over Sam Houston.
 
The Bearkats fought back in the third set and took a 19-13 lead on kills by Washington and Lillian Hamilton, who led the way with 11 kills.
 
The Cardinals then took advantage of some errors and eventually took a 20-19 lead. Sameena Burns tied the match with a kill, and an ace by Washington, who had eight kills, and kill by Michaela Panekova handed Sam Houston the lead.
 
The two teams traded points, but UIW was able to put the match away 25-23.