HOBOKEN, N.J. – The Wilkes University women's volleyball squad opened MAC Freedom play at Stevens.  This was the first MAC Freedom action Stevens has seen in any sport since they joined the conference.
 
The Colonels (6-6, 0-1) fell in straight sets to the Ducks (3-5, 0-1) 11-25, 18-25, 15-25.
 
In the first set, the Colonels kept pace with their new conference rival early before the Ducks went on a 18-4 tear to close out the set.  Wilkes hung around for most of the second set, closing in within a pair of points multiple times against the Ducks.  A late 7-2 run by Stevens would clinch the set for the Ducks.
 
Stevens jumped out to an early 6-1 lead in the third set, but the Colonels refused to stay down and clawed back to being down 13-15 in the middle of the set.  A Ducks 10-2 run closed out the set and match.
 
Senior opposite hitter Jamey Mikovich (Nesquehoning, PA/Panther Valley) led the Colonels with 11 kills and three blocks, as well as five digs.  Sophomore setter Karlye Huffman (Sugar Run, PA/Wyalusing) had a team-leading 16 assists.  Senior defensive specialist Julie Murphy (Mountaintop, PA/Crestwood) posted a team-high 10 digs for the evening.
 
The Colonels look to bounce back at a tri-match in Camden, N.J. Saturday.  They have a rematch against Clarks Summit at 12:00 p.m., while they play host Rutgers-Camden at 2:00 p.m.  The Colonels look to avenge their 3-2 defeat they sustained on the road against Clarks Summit on August 31st.