The Wilkes Colonels women's volleyball squad hosted a tri-match Saturday against the Cedar Crest Falcons and the Penn State-Harrisburg Lions at the Marts Center.
 
The Colonels (6-5) dropped Cedar Crest (4-5) in straight sets 25-17, 25-21, 25-22 before falling in a tightly contested 3-1 affair against the Lions (6-3) 16-25, 25-27, 25-22, 24-26 in the afternoon match.
 
Wilkes jumped out to an 8-1 led in the first set against Cedar Crest thanks to five attack errors form the Falcons.  The teams would trade points the rest of the way, but the Falcons couldn't make any headway into the strong Colonels advantage and fell 25-17.   The Colonels would find themselves down early in the second set thanks to a batch of errors of their own, but managed to claw their way back on top in the set.  The teams would battle back and forth in a contested third set, but the Colonels would emerge victorious for a clean sweep.
 
Seniors Jamey Mikovich (Nesquehoning, PA/Panther Valley) and Alex Ferrier (Auburn, PA/Blue Mountain) tied for the team lead in kills with 13 each.  Mikovich also led the Colonels with 17 digs in the first match on the day.  Sophomore Karlye Huffman (Sugar Run, PA/Wyalusing) put together a 40-assist performance, her current season high for assists.  Senior Michele Natale (Kinnelon, NJ/Kinnelon) had a team-leading four blocks against the Falcons, while junior Christie Challenger (Schuylkill Haven, PA/Blue Mountain) had three of her own.
 
In the afternoon match against PSU-Harrisburg, the Colonels struggled to find much footing in the first set.  A 10-2 run by the Lions in the middle of the set gave them an advantage Wilkes would be unable to overcome as they fell 25-16.  The teams traded points in the second set.  A 4-0 run with Mikovich serving gave the Colonels a late edge, but the Lions managed to squeak on by in a 27-25 set.
 
Wilkes refused to be swept, and the teams exchanged runs throughout the third set.  Wilkes eventually won out in a 25-22 battle.  The Colonels contested the Lions fiercely throughout the fourth set but it didn't prove to be enough as they dropped the deciding set 26-24.
 
Mikovich led the Colonels with 17 kills and 26 digs in the afternoon match, while Ferrier added in 10 kills.  Huffman pitched in with 35 assists, while Natale once again led the Colonels in blocks, this time with three.  Senior Julie Murphy (Mountaintop, PA/Crestwood) and junior Kristie Najdek (Bethpage, NY/Island Trees) had three service aces each, while Murphy also came away with 14 digs.
 
The Colonels hit the road once more, this time to start MAC Freedom play.  They travel to Hoboken, N.J. to play against conference newcomer Stevens Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.  The Colonels will play 12 of their next 14 matches away from the Marts Center.