MADISON, NJ – Jamey Mikovich (Nesquehoning, PA/Panther Valley) recorded 20 kills including 14 in the first two sets Tuesday night as the Wilkes University women's volleyball team lost 3-1 (25-22, 20-25, 11-25, 24-26) to host FDU-Florham in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) action. Mikovich was one kill shy of her career high of 21.

With the hard fought loss, Wilkes dropped to 0-2 in MAC Freedom matches but stand at 8-4 overall this season. FDU-Florham improved to 2-0 in conference action and are 4-9 overall.

The Colonels got off to a fast start in their first conference road match of the season with a victory in the first set. Mikovich gave Wilkes its first lead at 12-11 with a kill. Karlye Huffman (Sugar Run, PA/Wyalusing) and Michele Natale (Kinnelon, NJ/Kinnelon) combined for a block to put Wilkes up 15-13 and force the Devils into a timeout. Kills by Mikovich, Sierra Smith (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) and another from Mikovich made the score 22-19 and forced FDU into its second timeout of the set. Mikovich recorded two more kills and a ball handling error on a Devils player handed the Colonels the final point in a 25-22 opening set win.

FDU was able to even the match at a set apiece after jumping out to a 16-12 lead in set two. Wilkes was able to cut the Devils lead down to one point but the home side was able to pull back away and finished the set at 25-20.

The momentum for Devils carried over to the third set when they took a 4-0 lead. The Colonels responded with five of the next seven points to make it 6-5 but a FDU 11-0 run put them ahead 17-5. Wilkes was forced to regroup for the fourth set after the Devils cruised to a 25-11 victory.

The Colonels did just that and battled right with the Devils in the fourth set. A Christie Challenger (Schuylkill Haven, PA/Blue Mountain) service ace pulled Wilkes within one point at 6-5 early in the set. Smith's ace tied the game at 18 before an FDU ball handling error gave Wilkes the 19-18 lead, forcing the home team to call a timeout. Alex Ferrier (Cressona, PA/Blue Mountain) provided a kill and Huffman followed with an ace to keep the Colonels ahead 22-21. Ferrier then put away another clutch kill to make it 23-22 and a bad set by the Devils put Wilkes one point away from forcing a fifth and final set. That was not meant to be as FDU scored the final four points to take the set 26-24 and the match 3-1.

Juliet Betke (Poplar Grove, IL/Belvidere North) led the Wilkes back row defense with 21 digs. At the net Huffman was strong with a career-best four blocks and she also directed the offense with 32 assists and had eight digs. Natale added four blocks. Ferrier was second on the team with 10 kills and had a team-best .381 hitting percentage.

Lauren Harris led FDU with 19 kills and 21 digs. Katie Quinlan added 17 kills and Kacie Ros had 44 assists and 13 digs.

The Colonels return home to the Marts Center to face Clarks Summit University Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. in non-conference action.