MARION, Ind. -- A perfect weekend continues a perfect start to the season for the Indiana Wesleyan University volleyball team.

No. 9-ranked Indiana Wesleyan defeated Robert Morris (Ill.) University and Davenport (Mich.) University by identical 3-0 scores on Saturday for a flawless 3-0 mark at the IWU/Taylor Crossover Tournament. IWU improves to 7-0 on the season with five of the victories coming against ranked teams or teams receiving votes in the NAIA poll.

The Wildcats continued their hot start to the season without junior outside hitter Rae Brandes in the lineup. Brandes -- out of the lineup with an injury she sustained Friday morning -- led the team with 3.5 kills per game last week at the Lee (Tenn.) Invitational.

"What I love is that one of our top players didn't play all weekend but we didn't let it affect us," said Indiana Wesleyan head coach Candace Moats. "Instead of crushing us and falling apart, everyone drew together and the depth on our team is a testimony to exactly how it went. We worked together and didn't miss a beat."

One player who filled in for Brandes was senior outside hitter Brooke Atwell. She tallied seven kills each match on Saturday with hitting percentages over .300.

All three matches this weekend came against opponents who were receiving votes in the Tachikara-NAIA Volleyball Coaches' Top-25 Preseason Poll. Indiana Wesleyan defeated Robert Morris in the morning session by scores of 25-15, 25-16, 25-14 and then defeated Davenport in the afternoon by scores of 25-18, 25-17, 26-24. IWU has now won 17 straight sets, dating back to the last two sets in the 3-2 victory over No. 3-ranked Lee (Tenn.) University.

Being able to jump on top of opponents this weekend allowed Moats to get a good look at a lot of players in action.

"We gave a lot of people opportunities to play," stated Moats. "We got ourselves into some high pressure situations where we had to pull together, and you can't create that pressure in practice. And I love the fact that we had that pressure a couple times this weekend because it showed us we can get a plan and stayed composed and fight through it."

Sophomore middle blocker Kristine Egebrecht had a huge game today against Robert Morris. She finished with 15 kills and a .636 hitting percentage. Egebrecht also added two solo blocks and a block assist. Indiana Wesleyan completed the win over Robert Morris with a .414 team attacking percentage.

Egebrecht had another huge game against Davenport with a match-high 11 kills and a .563 kill percentage. Sophomore outside hitter Cheyenne Godinez added 10 kills and .529 hitting percentage as the Wildcats earned a .325 attacking percentage as a team.

Next time out, Indiana Wesleyan will open Crossroads League play with a home match against Grace (Ind.) College, another team receiving votes in the national poll. The match will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in Luckey Arena.