Wilkes University Athletics

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Steve Finkernagel

Wilkes looks to shock the top seed Eastern on Wednesday in the Freedom semifinals

WILKES VOLLEYBALL LOOKING FOR UPSET BID IN SEMIFINALS OF FREEDOM TOURNMENT

11/4/2014 8:00:00 AM

WILKES VOLLEYBALL LOOKING FOR UPSET BID IN SEMIFINALS OF FREEDOM TOURNMENT

WILKES-BARRE – The Wilkes University volleyball team makes its third straight trip to the Freedom Conference Tournament facing top-seeded Eastern University Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in St. Davids, Pa.

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Wilkes, the fourth seed in the tournament, enters with a 13-17 overall record after finishing 3-4 in conference play. The Lady Colonels came out on top of a three-way tie with Manhattanville and FDU-Florham due to set percentage to claim the final postseason spot.

Eastern, the six-time defending Freedom champions, enter the match with a 27-5 overall record after going a perfect 7-0 in league games. The Eagles are a year removed from making a trip to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.

Wilkes will look to counter the Eastern attack with the play of its three top hitters in Ally Paskas (Rutherford, NJ/Rutherford), Danica Benson (Allentown, PA/Emmaus) and Ellen Mook (Meadville, PA/Meadville). Paskas leads Wilkes with 238 kills, 263 digs and 28 service aces. Rookies Benson and Mook have enjoyed stellar first years in the program as Benson adds 192 kills and 30 total blocks while Mook contributes 180 kills and 34 total blocks.

The backline will be led by senior Erin Nothstein (Mertztown/Brandywine Heights) who has posted 495 digs, just 31 shy from her season record of 526 set back in 2011. Setter Megan Powers (Pottsville, PA/Pottsville) tops the Wilkes passing game with 664 assists.

Eastern has four players with 200-plus kills on the year led by Katrina Pisch's 286 kills and 96 total blocks. Lauren Sproles follows with 283 kills and 287 digs, while Erin Hillman and Alicia Weigel add 263 and 214 kills respectively.

Setter Rikki Schlager paces the Eagles attack in the passing game with 1,096 assists, while the backline is led by Rylie Hass' 560 digs.

The winner of the semifinal match will play Saturday in the Freedom Conference Championship match against the winner of No. 2 DeSales University and No. 3 Misericordia University at a time to be announced.

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