HALEDON, NJ – Host William Paterson University was able to hold off a third set rally by the Wilkes University women's volleyball team Tuesday night at the Rec Center to win 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-21) in non-conference competition.

With the loss Wilkes fell to 3-2 overall on the season while William Paterson improved their record to 6-1 overall.

The Pioneers built a 5-1 lead in the first set before four-straight points by the Colonels evened the score. The Colonels again tied the score at 10-10 but the hosts were able to score eight of the next 10 points to lead 18-12. Wilkes responded with seven of the next eight points to tie the set at 19-19, as Alexis Reedy (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra Area) and Ali Yordy (Fairfield, PA/Fairfield Area) produced aces and Hope Ousey (Exton, PA/Henderson) and Sierra Hines (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Holy Redeemer) combined for a block. Hines and Alexa Cassel (Mount Joy, PA/Lower Dauphin) were able to produce a block to keep the Colonels in the set at 23-22 but the Pioneers scored the next two points to take set one 25-22.

William Paterson controlled the second set with the first six points and stretched the lead to 15-3. The two sides traded runs to the conclusion of the second set with the Pioneers winning 25-15.

The Colonels came out strong in the third set looking to extend the match as Cassel had two aces and Reedy a kill to put Wilkes up 3-0. A four-point run, including kills by Ousey and Hines gave the Blue and Gold an 8-4 lead. The Pioneers grabbed their first lead of the set at 10-9 but the Colonels answered with a kill by Hines and the next two points to go back ahead 12-10. A kill by Cassel and an ace by Hines built the lead to four points at 15-11 for Wilkes. With the Colonels up 17-14, William Paterson went on a four-point run to take the lead at 18-17 and from there the hosts were able to outscore Wilkes seven to four to win the third set 25-21 and sweep the match 3-0.

Reedy led the Wilkes attack with seven kills while Hines had an efficient night in the middle with six kills and a .714 hitting percentage. Cassel recorded 14 assists and Yordy led the team with three aces. Yordy and Cassel each led Wilkes with eight digs on the night while Hines and Ousey had three blocks each.

Cecilia Miller led all players with 13 kills and she led the Pioneers with three aces. Abby Houpt led William Paterson with 19 assists while Paola Molina led with eight digs in just one set played. Sofia Zablackis led all players with four blocks.

The Colonels return to action Friday for two matches in Dallas, Pa. Wilkes faces host Misericordia University at 4:00 p.m. and then Wentworth Institute of Technology at 6:00 p.m.