MADISON, Nj. – The Wilkes women's volleyball team dropped their tri-match on Saturday afternoon against Drew University and Stevens Institute of Technology, falling to the Rangers 3-2 and the Ducks 3-0.
Following the tri-match, Wilkes falls to 10-8 overall and 0-2 in conference. Drew moves to 7-11 overall and 1-1 in conference while Stevens moves to 13-2 overall.
Game 1: Drew 3, Wilkes 2
In the first set, Wilkes started hot with service aces from
Annalyse Santowasso (Middlesex, NJ/Rutgers Prep) and kills by
Abby Dornblaser (Gilbertsville, PA/Boyertown). The Colonels' energy carried into an eight-point surge consisting of three major kills from Dornblaser and two kills from Emilee Atherhoult.
Kendra Kalp (Somerset, PA/Rockwood) sealed the set with a kill to secure the set 25-19.
Drew responded with urgency in the second set, starting the set 7-3. Wilkes battled their way out of a deficit, tying the set 14-14. The Rangers found a late spark that the Colonels' were unable to match, securing the set 25-16.
The third set opened with Wilkes and Drew trading points before Wilkes pulled away by three points thanks to back-to-back service aces from
Charlize Leukus (York haven, PA/Red Land) and a kill from Dornblaser. The Colonels could not sustain their lead as the Rangers rallied to secure the set 25-23.
Wilkes was determined in the fourth set, building a 12-7 advantage early on and maintaining control throughout. Wilkes was able to keep their momentum going, taking the set with a kill from
Rachael Anderson (Canmore, AB/West Island College).
Going into the final set, Drew had their eyes set on a win as they entered the set 6-2. Wilkes was unable to contest Drew's offensive attack, and the Rangers took the final set and won the match.
Leon was all over the floor in the first match, leading the team with 24 kills and three blocks.
Maddy Durfee (Attica, NY/Attica) led the team with 26 assists, while Dornblaser led the team in digs with 21. As a team, the Colonels finished with a .161 attacking percentage while Drew finished with a .235 percentage.
Game 2: Stevens 3, Wilkes 0
After dropping the first match, Wilkes looked for an opportunity against Stevens. Early on in the first set, Wilkes and Stevens traded points to a 8-8 tie before the Ducks broke away in an aggressive 12-point surge, securing the first set 25-14.
The first and second set were much the same as Wilkes attempted to keep up with Steven's fiery offense. In the second set, Stevens went up early 12-0 with Wilkes attempting to keep up with kills from Dornblaser and Kalp. Wilkes could not slow the Ducks' attack as Stevens secured the set 25-7.
Looking for a sweep, the Ducks took early control in set three with a 13-6 advantage, but the Colonels stayed within striking distance with the score at 23-17. Wilkes could not generate the points needed to match Stevens' attack, and the Ducks secured the sweep after winning the set 25-18.
Kalp and Dornblaser finished the match with four kills a piece, while Anderson led the team in assists with eight. Durfee completed the match with six digs, while Atherhoult led the team in blocks with two.
The Colonels return to the Marts Center for their Dig Pink game on Friday, October 9 against Goucher College. The match will begin at 7 p.m.
