WILKES-BARRE – The Wilkes women's volleyball team fell in straight sets against Landmark Conference opponent Susquehanna University 3-0 (14-25, 20-25, 19-25) at the Marts Center on Friday night.

The Colonels fall to 9-16 with the loss and 1-6 in Landmark play, while the River Hawks improve to 8-17 overall with a 4-4 conference record.

Both teams traded early runs in the first set, with the Colonels riding three kills by Nicole Fitzpatrick (New Hampton, NY/Minisink Valley) on a six point run to an early 7-4 lead. The River Hawks came back to take the lead 8-7 with a run of their own, blowing the set open to a 19-9 lead. A late ace by Fitzpatrick and a kill from Sierra Hines (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Holy Redeemer) weren't enough to close the gap, as Susquehanna took the first set 25-14.

The Colonels took another early lead in the second set 8-5, highlighted by three kills from senior Hope Ousey (Exton, PA/Henderson). The River Hawks then stormed back with a ten point run to rip control of the set away and make it a 15-8 game. Wilkes fought back, outscoring Susquehanna 7-3 over the next ten points to close the gap as close as 18-15, but the River Hawks kept the lead and took the set 25-20.

Susquehanna was able to keep Wilkes from taking an early lead in the third set, keeping the score even at 6-6 before wresting the lead from the Colonels with a seven point run to make it 13-6. Wilkes were able to take advantage of some errors to close the gap to 14-11, but once again Susquehanna pulled away to a 22-14 advantage. The Colonels managed one last five point run to close the lead to 22-19, but a kill and two aces ended the day and the River Hawks took home the third set and the match.

Alexis Reedy (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra Area) led the Colonels with eight kills, while Alexa Cassel (Mount Joy, PA/Lower Dauphin) put up 25 assists and led the defensive effort with nine digs.

Emily Kowalski led Susquehanna with 14 kills, as Kiera Roach led the team in assists with 12. Valerie Stoltz led in digs with 14.

The Colonels return to action tomorrow for a tri-match with Elizabethtown College and Rutgers-Camden as they celebrate Senior Day. The first match is set for 11:00 a.m.