The Friday Harbor volleyball team not only opened the 2013 season with a win, but with a decisive win on the road over its inter-island rival, Orcas.

The Wolverines jumped out to an early lead, claiming each of the first two games by a score of 25-17 in the Sept. 12 non-league contest.

But they had to fend off a hard-fought effort by a resurgent Orcas squad to earn a 27-25 win in the third game and to post a three-game sweep on the Vikings home court.

“It definitely set a good tone for a young team,” Coach Travis Mager said. “The girls had to wrestle through some adversity in the last game but were able to keep their composure and come out on top.”

A victory over the Vikings in three straight also stands as a high-water mark for the Wolverines, who in recent years have fallen just short in successive five-game bouts in their season series against Orcas.

“That’s a first for us since I’ve been here,” Mager, now in his 9th year at the helm, said of the 3-game sweep.

Next:

The Wolverines travel to South Whibey Saturday, Sept. 21, to compete in the South Whidbey Invite, and face Division 1A Whatcom County rival Mount Baker Tuesday, Sept. 24, in their home opener; game time is 4:30 p.m. in Turnbull Gym.