WILKES-BARRE – The Wilkes University women's volleyball team christened the newly-renovated Marts Center with a victory in straight sets (25-20, 25-16, 25-23). Friday night against non-conference opponent Keystone College.
 
Wilkes (1-0) took an early lead, going up 14-5. Nicole Fitzpatrick (New Hampton, NY/Minisink Valley) had three kills during this stretch, with Alexis Reedy (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra Area) contributing two kills and a service ace. Keystone (0-1) came back strong and closed the gap late in the set to 23-20. Another Reedy kill and a ball handling error by the Giants gave the Colonels the first set.
 
The second set started out much like the first, as the Colonels stretched another massive lead 14-3. Fitzpatrick added three more kills to her tally during the run. The Giants cut the deficit to as close as six points during the set, but the Colonels dominated to take the set 25-16.
 
The tables turned on the Colonels in the third set, as Keystone matched them blow for blow to keep the score knotted at 6-6. The Giants then went on an 8-2 run to take the lead 14-8. The Colonels chipped at the lead and fought back to take the lead 21-20 on a four point run. The teams traded points back and forth before a trio of kills by Hope Ousey (Exton, PA/Henderson) put the game away and got the Colonels season started with an impressive victory.
 
Reedy led the Colonels with 11 kills and had ten digs, earning her first double-double of the season. She also led the team in service aces with to cap off an impressive performance. Ali Yordy (Fairfield, PA/Fairfield Area) led the Colonels in digs with 13 and Alexa Cassel (Mount Joy, PA/Lower Dauphin) led in assists with 28.
 
Sofia Green led the Giants in kills with nine while Hailey Herneisey led in digs with 14. Tobi West led in assists with 20.
 
The Colonels look to keep the momentum moving in the right direction at the Marts Center as they host Penn State Hazleton for their next match on Wednesday, September 6^th at 7:00 p.m. They then host Delaware Valley University and Penn State Altoona on Saturday, September 9^th at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. for a doubleheader to round out the season-opening home stand.