The Culver-Stockton College men's volleyball team opened the season with a pair of losses in the Fighting Bees Invitational at Saint Ambrose University Saturday afternoon.

Playing at Blackhawk College in Moline, Ill., the Wildcats began the day with a 25-18, 25-23, 25-21 loss to Cumberland (Tenn.) in their opening match. C-SC ended the day with a 25-23, 25-23, 25-17 setback to host Saint Ambrose University.

In the opener, Cooper Varner and Rio Victor led the offensive attack with eight kills each. Zach Kowalewicz added seven terminations as those three players combined for 23 of the 29 total kills by the Wildcats.

Defensively, Victor and Cikeng Lee each garnered six digs to lead the back row. Kowalewicz totaled a team-high four blocks, while Kirvan Hughes had three blocks. Hughes also contributed 23 set assists.

Against Saint Ambrose, C-SC totaled 31 kills overall with Clyde Harold pacing the attack with nine. Henry Reeves chipped in with seven terminations while Varner added six kills. Hughes registered 23 set assists.

Varner and Lee recorded eight digs each to lead the team defensively. Kowalewicz led the front row with four blocks, including a solo, while Reeves, Harold and Sebastian Schultz had two assisted blocks each.

The Wildcats are scheduled to play in the Heart of America Challenge next Friday and Saturday, Jan. 30-31 in St. Louis, Mo. C-SC begins the weekend Friday at Missouri Baptist University and is set to play Campbelllsville (Ky.) at 2:30 p.m. and Brecia (Ky.) at 5 p.m.