Wilkes Women's Volleyball Overcomes Albright College 3-1
READING, Pa. – The Wilkes women's volleyball team overcame Albright College Thursday night in an exciting four set match.
With the win, Wilkes improves to 8-3 overall while Albright College falls to 3-5.
In the first set, the Colonels found themselves in a hole early in the game, but were able to climb their way out and take a 10-9 lead. With two kills from Kendra Kalp (Somerset, PA/Rockwood) and one each from Ava Wahlers (Coudersport, PA/Coudersport) and Abby Dornblaser (Gilbertsville, PA/Boyertown), the Colonels were able to extend their lead to 19-13. From there, Ally Sheridan (Hanover Township, PA/Hanover Area) added three more kills to help the Colonels end the set 25-17.
Wilkes opened set two going point for point with the Lions. Wahlers and Sheridan combined for a block to shut down the Lions' offense, and kills from Allyson Gates (Margate, FL/Coral Springs Charter) and Sheridan helped Wilkes swing the momentum and take a 13-10 lead. Albright battled back and came within two points of the set, but Wilkes shut the set down 25-23 with a block from Emilee Atherholt (Coudersport, PA/Coudersport) and Sheridan.
In a thrilling third set, Wilkes jumped to an early 10-6 lead. The Colonels continued to extend their lead to one point from a match win, but with a kill and service ace from Korrine Tillery, Albright was able to tie the set 24. The Lions completed the comeback to win the set 28-26.
In the final set of the night, the Colonels traded points with Albright, but pulled ahead, 17-11, with kills from Wahlers and Dornblaser and two service aces from Annalyse Santowasso (Middlesex, NJ/Rutgers Prep). The Lions clawed back within one point, but Wilkes never surrendered the lead, finishing the match with four more kills to win the set, 25-22.
Sheridan earned a double-double on the night, leading the Colonels attack with a career-high 16 kills and recording 13 digs on the night. Rachael Anderson (Canmore, AB/West Island College) led the passing game with 37 assists and Santowasso added a season-high 27 digs.
Neve Straff led the Lions with 14 kills, 4 service aces, and 18.5 total points.
The Colonels continue their road trip as they travel to Lancaster, Pa. for a tri-match against Lancaster Bible College and Rutgers-Newark on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 11:00a.m. and 1:00p.m.
