Wilkes University Athletics

SCRANTON, Pa. – The Wilkes University women's volleyball team opened Landmark Conference play at the John Long Center Friday night, falling to the University of Scranton in straight sets.

Wilkes falls to 10-6 on the year and 0-1 to start conference play, while the Royals improve to to 9-5 overall and open Landmark play 1-0.

The Colonels took the first points of the day and held a 12-8 lead in the first set, helped on by a trio of kills and an ace by Mia Leon (Ponce, PR/Caribbean), but the Royals stormed back to take the lead with a 5-0 run to go ahead 13-12. A service error tied the set at 13, but the Royals wouldn't lose the lead again and took the first set 25-21.

The hosts parlayed that into a dominant second set, defeating the Colonels 25-15. Wilkes fought back hard to start the third set, taking a 7-3 lead on the hosts early behind kills from Kendra Kalp (Somerset, PA/Rockwood), Emilee Atherholt (Coudersport, PA/Coudersport), and another Leon ace. The Royals closed the gap with a 10-3 run to take the lead back. Late in the set the navy and gold made one last run to tie the game at 21, scoring four straight points down 21-17, but Scranton put the game away with four of the next five points to win the set and match.

Leon led all players with 10 kills on the evening, leading the team in aces (3) and blocks (2) as well. Maddy Durfee (Attica, NY/Attica) led the team with 13 assists, while Rachael Anderson (Canmore, AB/West Island College) eclipsed the 1,000-career assist milestone with seven. Annalyse Santowasso (Middlesex, NJ/Rutgers Prep) led the defensive efforts with 13 digs.

Danielle Kramer led the Royals with eight kills, while Cammi Quirk led all players with 20 assists. Gabby Konrad led the defense with seven digs.

The Colonels continue Landmark play in their next contest, as they head to Drew University for a tri-match against the Rangers and non-conference opponent Stevens. Those games are scheduled for 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. respectively.