FACTORYVILLE, PA – The Wilkes University women's volleyball team used 17 service aces to come from one set down to win its 2022 season-opening match 3-1 at Keystone College Thursday night in non-conference action from the Gambal Athletic Center. The Colonels dropped the first set 20-25 before taking the next three 25-16, 25-13, 25-15.

Emily Gentzel (Yaphank, NY/Bellport) was credited with a career high nine service aces to lead the way for the Colonels.

The Giants stormed out to an 8-1 lead in the opening set before the Colonels began to gain momentum, cutting the lead to 23-20 late.

In the second set Wilkes used the momentum gained to go ahead 12-7 following a five-point run capped by a kill from Alexis Reedy (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra Area). An Ali Yordy (Fairfield, PA/Fairfield Area) ace made it 23-14 and an Allison Murie (Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) kill ended the set in the Colonels favor 25-16.

Wilkes jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the third set behind two kills each by Reedy and Hope Ousey (Exton, PA/Henderson). A block by Alexa Cassel (Mount Joy, PA/Lower Dauphin) and Ousey made the score 11-3 and the Colonels cruised to a 25-13 victory to go ahead 2-1 in the match following an Emily Lass (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) kill to end the frame.

A four-point run for Wilkes behind the strength of two Gentzel aces pushed the Navy and Gold to a 9-5 advantage in set four. Another four-point rally for the Colonels with kills from Reedy and Cassel jumped the score to 16-9 and the Colonels wouldn't look back as they won 25-15 following four straight aces from Gentzel to end the match.

Ousey led Wilkes with nine kills to tie a career high. Murie also registered a career high with six kills and Reedy also finished with six kills as the trio of players led the Colonels attack. Cassel quarterbacked the offense with 25 assists on the night and added eight digs. Nicole Fitzpatrick (New Hampton, NY/Minisink Valley) had a career high 15 digs to lead the way defensively. Yordy chipped in with eight digs as well. Sierra Hines (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Holy Redeemer), Cassel ad Ousey each had two blocks.

Rebecca Jackson had a match high 13 kills for Keystone and added 13 digs. Elise Burk finished with 20 assists for the Giants. Wilkes held Keystone to a .019 hitting percentage in the match while finishing with a .168 mark on their own attack.

The Colonels return to action tomorrow for a 5:00 p.m. match, hosting Hunter College at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Kingston, Pa.