The Columbus Wildcats knocked off the Lone Tree Lions in straight sets to win their conference volleyball opener Thursday. Columbus won the first set 25-12 and never slowed up, taking the next two frames 25-9 and 25-18.

Middle hitter Jessica Del Rio paced Columbus with a match-high nine kills and added five serving aces. Fellow junior Kennedy Woepking racked up six aces to go with six kills and 12 digs, while junior Aracely Garza added six kills, eight digs and four aces and junior setter Daniela Diaz dished out 27 assists to help the Wildcats improve to 2-5.

Senior Alex Dautremont led Lone Tree with seven kills and added six digs, while Madison Floyd finished with six kills and three assists and fellow senior Rylee Shield and junior Alyson Ford came up with four kills each.

Senior setter Hayden Yoder distributed 16 assists as the Lions fall to 2-2. While Lone Tree plays in a tournament at Midland this weekend, Columbus next takes the court Tuesday at Louisa-Muscatine.