Wilkes Women's Volleyball Splits Tri-Match Against Lancaster Bible College and Rutgers-Newark
LANCASTER, PA – The Wilkes women's volleyball team split Saturday's tri-match at Lancaster Bible College, as they lost 3-0 to the hosts and beat Rutgers-Newark 3-1.
After today's games, Wilkes moves to a 9-4 overall record while Lancaster Bible improves to 4-7 and Rutgers-Newark falls to 6-5.
Game 1 vs. Lancaster Bible College
In the first game of the day, Wilkes found themselves down against the Chargers in all sets, unable to find the court, the Chargers took the match in straight sets 25-13, 25-15, and 25-22. Ally Sheridan (Hanover Township, PA/Hanover Area) led the offense with 8 kills while also recording 9 digs. Emilee Atherholt (Coudersport, PA/Coudersport) put up 3 blocks, Rachael Anderson (Canmore, AB/West Island College) recorded 16 assists, and Annalyse Santowasso (Middlesex, NJ/Rutgers Prep) led the passing game with 14 digs. Wilkes recorded more blocks than the Chargers.
Lea Sareyka led the Chargers offense with 13 kills, while Madeline Reed had 31 led the passing game with 31 assists and Madison Timberlake recorded 22 digs.
Game 2 vs. Rutgers-Newark
To start game two, Wilkes jumped to an early 6-2, but the Raiders stayed close behind and with a 5-0 run, took the lead. The Colonels responded back with kills from Mia Leon (Ponce, PR/Caribbean), Ava Wahlers (Coudersport, PA/Coudersport) and Kalp to tie at 23, but Shayla Moody-Santos of Rutgers finished the set with two kills.
Wilkes stepped into set two hungry for a win, and with three 5-0 runs in set two were able to finish the set 25-18. The Colonels outhit the Raiders .206 to .025 and recorded 12 kills in the set with Sheridan and Leon earning 9 of the 12.
The Colonels started set three trading points with the Raiders, but Wilkes pulled ahead with seven unanswered points. Rutgers responded with four points of their own, but it wasn't enough to take the lead. Wilkes finished the set with a 4-0 and 3-0 run and a final score of 25-20.
With momentum on their side, the Colonels jumped ahead in set four, as Sheridan scored the first three points with a kill and two service aces. Wilkes and Rutgers continued to battle for the lead, but the navy and gold secured the lead with a 7-0 run (21-16). With a kill from Wahlers, the set ended 25-23 and Wilkes took the match win, 3-1.
Leon led the Colonels' attack with 12 kills with Kalp and Sheridan close behind with 10 kills. At the net, Wahlers, Atherholt, and Leon put up a combined 15 blocks and Annalyse Santowasso (Middlesex, NJ/Rutgers Prep) recorded a new season high earning 29 digs. Rachael Anderson (Canmore, AB/West Island College) led the passing game with 28 assists.
For Rutgers, Tracey Ilderis led the offense with 11 kills, Angelyse Orellana put up 17 assists, and Jaedyn Simba-Malasarte recorded 18 digs.
The Colonels end their road trip at Penn State Abington on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 7:00p.m.
