Wilkes Women's Volleyball Splits Non-Conference Tri-Match
MAHWAH, NJ – Wilkes University would split their tri-match action on Saturday as they would defeat Saint Joseph's University, New York (Long Island) 3-1 (25-12, 25-21, 20-25, 25-11) in the first match then fall to host Ramapo College in five sets (25-17, 24-26, 25-20, 21-25, 7-15).
Wilkes would improve to 7-17 on the year from splitting today's games. Saint Joseph's, Long Island would fall to 11-11 on the season, while Ramapo takes the two victories and goes 9-8.
The first saw the Colonels go against Saint Joseph's, New York (Long Island). The first set would see Wilkes go on the offensive with kills from Nicole Fitzpatrick (New Hampton, NY/Minisink Valley), Kelsey Carroll (Jim Thorpe, PA/Jim Thorpe), Hope Ousey (Exton, PA/Henderson), and Alexis Reedy (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra Area) to take a 13-4 lead over the Golden Eagles. Saint Joseph, Long Island would respond with five straight points and go on a 7-3 run behind Madison Gremli and Jackie Wolf to trail 16-11. The Colonels would go on an 11-3 run and take the first set 25-12.
The second set saw both teams trading runs, with the Golden Eagles earning the first four points of the game. The Colonels responded by earning the next five points, as Jenna Baron (Nanticoke, PA/Greater Nanticoke Area) got a kill in that stretch to give Wilkes a 5-4 lead. Saint Joseph's, Long Island would take back the lead and trade points with the Colonels, getting ahead 11-8 in the second set. Wilkes would earn seven of the next eight points, as Allison Murie (Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest), Baron, and Fitzpatrick all got kills and helped Wilkes retake the lead 16-12. Both teams would keep the game competitive, as Saint Joseph's, Long Island climbed back to be behind Wilkes 21-20. The Colonels would not let the lead slip away, as they would finish the set by taking four of the last five points behind Reedy and Murie kills to take the second set 25-21.
The third set would see Wilkes jump out to an 8-4 lead, with Fitzpatrick earning kills and service aces during that stretch. After trading points, the Golden Eagles would take the lead by earning 11 straight points behind kills from Gremli, Wolf, and Lauren Harmer to go up 17-11. The Colonels would try to get back in the set, but ultimately Saint Joseph's, Long Island would take the fourth set 25-20.
The fourth set would get back and forth action, as Wilkes would have a 6-5 lead over the Golden Eagles. The Colonels would then get 11 of the next 12 points, as Fitzpatrick and Murie would get kills and Emily Gentzel (Yaphank, NY/Bellport) earning back-to-back service aces as Wilkes would go up 17-6. The Colonels would keep the attack going as they would take the fourth set and series 25-11.
Fitzpatrick would lead the team with 18 kills, adding seven service aces, two blocks, and 12 digs. Reedy would follow behind with five kills, with Murie, Ousey, and Baron earning four apiece. Alexa Cassel (Mount Joy, PA/Lower Dauphin) would add 29 assists on the day. Ali Yordy (Fairfield, PA/Fairfield Area) would earn 13 digs while Sierra Hines (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Holy Redeemer) had three blocks on the day.
The second game would see Wilkes go against Ramapo. The first set saw both team trade points back-and-forth, with Wilkes having an early edge over the Roadrunners 14-12. They would get a Reedy kill and Gentzel ace to extend their lead 18-12. After both teams kept trading points, the Colonels would take the last four points to take the first set 25-17.
The second set saw Wilkes jump out to a 6-1 lead behind Fitzpatrick, Ousey, and Hines blocks. The Colonels would keep up the momentum in the set, as they would have a 21-15 lead. The Roadrunners would take seven straight points with Emma Moran service aces and Amanda Fatouh kill to go ahead 22-21. Both teams would try to finish the set strong, with both teams trading points. Ramapo would eventually earn two straight points to take the second set 26-24.
The third set would see both teams keep the back-and-forth competitiveness going as they would be tied at 8-8 early on in the set. Wilkes would slowly take the lead, earning two to three points in a row in different portions of the set, earning an 18-13 lead. Cassel would help keep the lead for Wilkes, earning a kill and service ace to get three points in a row for the Colonels. After Ramapo took the next four points, Wilkes would rely on Ousey, Fitzpatrick, and Hines to get kills for them and help take the third set 25-20.
The fourth set saw the Roadrunners take an early lead 6-1 behind Alexandra Sacchinelli, Caleigh Golabek, and Stephanie Ross kills. Ramapo would not let up, going on an 11-6 run to be ahead 17-7. Wilkes would try to take the momentum back, as Reedy earned a kill and Carroll had two straight service aces to earn three straight points for the Colonels. The Roadrunners would keep the pace on their own side, having a 24-15 lead and looking to close out the set. Wilkes would try to answer with six straight points, but a service ace error would end their run and give the fourth set to Ramapo 25-21.
The fifth set would start off with the Roadrunners taking six of the first seven points, taking an early lead and momentum in the final set. Wilkes would take the next three, but Ramapo would keep their offensive attack going and eventually take the fifth set and series 15-7.
Fitzpatrick would have 13 kills in the series. Reedy and Hines would follow suit, earning 12 and 11 kills respectively. Cassel would have 39 assists in the match, while Yordy had 20 digs. Ousey would have four blocks in the second match, with Hines and Murie earning three apiece.
Wilkes will return home to the Marts Center this Tuesday, Oct. 25 as they compete against Penn State Berks in non-conference action at 7:00 p.m.
