PULASKI, Tenn. -- Martin Methodist opened up play in the 2011 TranSouth Volleyball Championships with a 3-1 win over Cumberland University in Pulaski on Monday morning, then dropped a 3-1 match to top-seed Bethel University in the nightcap to finish 1-1 on the first day.

After winning the first game 25-15, the RedHawks won a nailbiter 25-23 in the second to take control of the match. The Bulldogs battled back with wins in the third and fourth games, however, before the RedHawks clinched their opening-round victory with a 15-13 victory in the fifth and final game.

"I just told our team to not back down and never give up," RedHawks coach Rose Magers-Powell said. "We did a good job with our blocking but we've got to improve for our next match."

During the Bethel contest, MMC downed the Wildcats in a 25-19 win in the first set, but was unable to complete a victory over the regular season co-champions, falling 25-16, 25-18, 25-21 in the next three.

MMC's Ann-Katherin Kuehorn was honored as a TranSouth Scholar Athlete between the final matches of the day, then earning a TranSouth All-Conference first team selection for her performance during her senior campaign. Senior Precious Sanders and sophomore Paula Sioto, who split setting duties this season, both earned second team nods, while Ulirike Gebhardt was named an honorable mention during her debut season.

The RedHawks, who are hosting the conference tournament, will meet the winner of the elimination match between Lyon College and Mid-Continent University on Tuesday, with first serve set for 2pm.