Wilkes Women's Volleyball Falls in Sweep to DeSales
CENTER VALLEY, PA – Wilkes University women's volleyball traveled to DeSales University and fell in three sets to the Bulldogs (25-23 25-21, 25-16) in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) action on Wednesday night.
The Colonels fell to 6-17 on the season and 2-5 in conference play while DeSales improved their record to 14-9 on the year and 5-1 in MAC Freedom action.
The first set saw both teams trading points, with Wilkes taking an early edge and leading 11-7 behind kills from Nicole Fitzpatrick (New Hampton, NY/Minisink Valley), Hope Ousey (Exton, PA/Henderson), Sierra Hines (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Holy Redeemer), and Alexis Reedy (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra Area). The back-and-forth push continued with Wilkes holding on 18-14. DeSales fought back and tied the contest at 19-19, where they earned six out of the last 10 points to take the first set 25-23.
The second set saw the Bulldogs jump out to a 6-2 lead. Both teams kept trading points, with the Bulldogs holding onto their lead 19-13. The Colonels would eventually tie the game 20-20 with Reedy and Allison Murie (Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) getting their own kills during that stretch. DeSales would earn five out of the last six points to take the second set 25-21.
The third set saw Fitzpatrick and Reedy get two kills early on as they would keep up with the Bulldogs and be tied at 7-7. Both teams would keep the tie afloat at 11-11 in the third set. The Bulldogs would earn six straight points to get ahead 17-11. Fitzpatrick and Reedy would get kills near the end of the game, but DeSales would keep their momentum going and eventually take the third set and series 25-16.
Fitzpatrick led the team with nine kills, followed by Reedy with six. Ousey and Murie each had three kills apiece. Alexa Cassel (Mount Joy, PA/Lower Dauphin) earned 21 assists on the night, while also earning eight digs as well. Fitzpatrick, Ali Yordy (Fairfield, PA/Fairfield Area), and Olivia Marsh (East Hampton, CT/East Hampton) followed behind with five digs each.
Wilkes will go on the road as they compete in a non-conference tri-match competition on Saturday, with a 1:00 p.m. match between Saint Joseph's College Long Island and a 3:00 p.m. contest against host Ramapo College.
