Wilkes Women's Volleyball Dominates Tri-Match against Elmira College and University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
ELMIRA, NY – The Wilkes women's volleyball team dominated the tri-match held at Elmira College this Saturday afternoon dropping no sets against the Elmira Eagles and the Pitt-Bradford Panthers.
The Colonels add two wins to the win column making their overall record 6-3, while Elmira falls to 2-6 and Pitt-Bradford drops to 6-1.
Game 1: vs. Elmira College
The Colonels swept game one of the tri-match in straight sets against Elmira College. In set one of the game, Wilkes jumped to an early 10-4 lead with Abby Dornblaser (Gilbertsville, PA/Boyertown) contributing three kills and one block to help them secure the lead. The Eagles fought to get within three points of the Colonels, but couldn't reach them. Wilkes went on to finish the set with ease 25-18.
In set two, Wilkes went on a huge 8-1 run early in the set to gain a 11-4 lead. They continued to capitalize and take set two 25-18. To start the third set, Elmira took a 3-1 lead that wasn't held long as Wilkes went on an 8-2 run to make the score 9-6. The Eagles and Colonels continued to trade points as Elmira got within 2 points of a set win (23-18). Wilkes powered through and put down seven unanswered points to end the third set 25-23.
Kendra Kalp (Somerset, PA/Rockwood) led the team in kills earning 7 while Ava Wahlers (Coudersport, PA/Coudersport) and Dornblaser both put down 6. Maddy Durfee (Buffalo, NY/Attica) led the passing game with 18 assists and Emilee Atherholt (Coudersport, PA/Coudersport) put up 4 blocks for the Colonels.
Game 2: vs. University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
Wilkes started game two of the tri-match going point-for-point with Pitt-Bradford to start set one, but the Panthers were able to pull ahead for a four point lead (13-9). Wilkes answered back with a commanding 9-1 run with Annalyse Santowasso (Middlesex, NJ/Rutgers Prep) contributing two aces in her service run. The Panthers got two points within a set win but the Colonels were able to secure set one with two kills from Ally Sheridan (Hanover Township, PA/Hanover Area) and an ace from Rachael Anderson (Canmore, AB/West Island College).
In set two, Wilkes jumped to a 17-9 lead with kills from Sheridan, Kalp, and Atherholt. Wilkes was able to hold an eight point lead to finish set two 25-17. At the start of set three, Wilkes found themselves with a three point lead but the Panthers were able to match them to tie the set 6-6. The Colonels were able to capture the lead with an 8-3 run. The Panthers fought to get within one point (22-23) but Wilkes ended the game with a kill from Wahlers and an ace from Kalp.
The Colonels out-served the Panthers 12-4 with Sheridan and Santowasso both leading the team with four. Rachael Anderson (Canmore, AB/West Island College) controlled the passing game with 22 assists while Dornblaser added 10 kills.
The Colonels return to the Marts Center on Tuesday, September 16, as they take on the Wildcats of Penn College at 7:00p.m.
