WILKES-BARRE – The Wilkes women's volleyball team fell to Misericordia University in their home opener at the Marts Center on Tuesday night, losing in straight sets 0-3 (17-25, 15-25, 15-25).

The Colonels fall to 1-5 on the season with the loss while the Cougars improve to 8-1 overall.

Wilkes came out hot in the first set, hanging tough with the Cougars to see the score tied at 10 all, helped on by three kills by Alexis Reedy (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra Area). A 5-10 run saw Misericordia take the lead, and another 2-5 run gave the visitors the first set.

In the second set, a six-point Cougar run boosted their lead to 6-13. Up 20-10 late, Wilkes fought back with a 4-1 run with kills from Kendra Kalp (Somerset, PA/Rockwood), Jenna Baron (Nanticoke, PA/Greater Nanticoke Area), and Reedy. Unfortunately, Misericordia would go on a 1-4 run of their own to put the set away and go up 0-2.

In the third set, Misericordia ran out to a 5-10 lead they wouldn't relinquish as they went on to win the set and match 15-25.

Baron and Ava Wahlers (Coudersport, PA/Coudersport) led the Colonels in kills with six each, while Alexa Cassel (Mount Joy, PA/Lower Dauphin) dished out 17 assists. Kalp led the defense with nine digs.

Meghan Peters led Misericordia with 11 kills, while Jenna Schuda had 26 asssits. Jessica Cleveland led the defense with 11 digs.

The Colonels return to action on Thursday, September 19 as they host Albright College at the Marts Center for a 7:00 p.m. contest.