Box Score Balanced Attack Not Enough for Wilkes Women's Volleyball in Five-Set Loss at Marywood
SCRANTON, PA – Four players reached double-digit kills for the Wilkes University women's volleyball team but the Colonels fell 3-2 at Marywood University Thursday night inside Insalaco Arena. Set scores were (25-10, 23-25, 25-19, 22-25, 9-15).
Jamey Mikovich (Nesquehoning, PA/Panther Valley) had 17 kills,
Christie Challenger (Schuylkill Haven, PA/Blue Mountain) had a career-high 12,
Michele Natale (Kinnelon, NJ/Kinnelon) tied her career-high with 11, and
Alex Ferrier (Auburn, PA/Blue Mountain) had 10 to provide the balanced attack for the Colonels as
Karlye Huffman (Sugar Run, PA/Wyalusing) directed the offense to the tune of 38 assists.
Wilkes dropped to 2-4 overall with the loss while Marywood improved to 2-4.
The opening set was a dominating one as the Colonels flew out of the gates with 16 kills and a .438 hitting percentage. Wilkes went on an eight-point run to grab a 12-3 lead with Natale and Challenger each providing three kills during the spurt. The Colonels closed the set with the final four points on Pacers mistakes to win 25-10.
Wilkes opened the second set with a 7-1 lead following a block by
Amy Hadesty (Tamaqua, PA/Tamaqua Area) and still held a five-point lead at 20-15 after a Mikovich kill. Marywood responded with a 10-3 run to take the second set to even the match.
Challenger and Mikovich provided the Colonels with a bit of breathing room in the third set as the score was tied at 13 before a kill by Challenger, a block by Mikovich and a kill by Mikovich. Wilkes was able to extend its lead to six for the 25-19 victory and a 2-1 match lead.
In the fourth set the Colonels looked poised to pick up their third victory of the season following a service ace by freshman
Olivia Marsh (East Hampton, CT/East Hampton) which gave the visitors a 20-17 lead. The Pacers had other ideas as the home side scored eight of the next 10 points to win the set 25-22 and force a fifth set. The score was tied nine times and the lead changed hands four times in the set.
The Colonels found struggles in the fifth set as they only had three kills compared to four attack errors and the Pacers took advantage to win the set 15-9 and take the match 3-2.
Mikovich and Hadesty led the way defensively at the net for the Colonels with five blocks each as the Colonels led the Pacers 11-4 on the night.
Julie Murphy (Mountaintop, PA/Crestwood) collected a career-best 26 digs while Mikovich added 20 and
Kristie Najdek (Bethpage, NY/Island Trees) also ended in double figures with 10. Mikovich also had five of the Colonels seven aces.
The Colonels conclude a string of seven-consecutive matches away from home on Saturday when they travel to Chambersburg, Pa. to face Albright College at 1:00 p.m. and host Wilson College at 3:00 p.m. in a non-conference tri-match.
