SOUTHFIELD Mich. - Lawrence Tech University opened WHAC Conference tournament play with a straight-sets victory Tuesday night, defeating Cornerstone University 3-0 at Don Ridler Fieldhouse, 25-10, 25-23, 25-16. The Blue Devils controlled the match from the start and now move on to face No. 1 seed Bethel University (Ind.) on Friday in the next round.

Lawrence Tech finished with 75 points, 41 kills, eight aces and a .358 attack percentage, while holding Cornerstone to 19 kills and a .014 hitting mark. The Blue Devils were especially sharp offensively behind Yegor Volkov, who led all players with 19 kills, 26 points and five service aces. Setter Pedro Aguiar directed the attack with 35 assists, and Gustavo Machado added eight kills, 11 points and two aces.

The opening set set the tone. Lawrence Tech used an early surge to go ahead 9-3, with Volkov producing multiple kills and contributing to the run from the service line. The Blue Devils never let Cornerstone settle in, closing the set 25-10 as Volkov continued to finish swings and Cornerstone ended the frame with a service error.

The second set brought the match's tightest stretch. Lawrence Tech appeared in control before Cornerstone made a late push, pulling within 23-22 behind consecutive kills from Andrew Galanes. The response came immediately. Volkov delivered a timely service ace to restore order at 24-23, and Machado followed with the set-clinching kill for a 25-23 win and a two-set lead.

In the third set, Lawrence Tech again leaned on its most productive hitters to create separation. Volkov helped the Blue Devils build an early edge, and the lead grew to 24-16 as Mario Cid and Volkov kept pressure on Cornerstone's defense late in the set. Volkov then put down the final kill of the night to finish the 25-16 set and complete the sweep.

Cornerstone was led by Galanes, who had six kills, six assists and seven points, while Braeden Schripsema added four kills. Lawrence Tech also finished with an 8-6.5 advantage in total blocks and posted 38 assists on 41 kills, a sign of the offensive rhythm the Blue Devils found throughout the night. With the first-round win secured, Lawrence Tech advances to Friday's matchup against top-seeded Bethel University (Ind.).