WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The Wilkes women's volleyball team overcame Goucher College in a thrilling four-set match on Friday night.
After tonight's win, the Colonels improve to 11-8 overall and 1-2 in Landmark play, while Goucher falls to 8-10 overall and 0-3 in conference.
Both teams came out hot in the first set, with each team playing strong on the offensive and defensive ends. Wilkes began to pull away as they went on a five-point surge, going up on Goucher 18-12. Goucher could not keep up with Wilkes' relentless attack as the Colonels secured the set with a kill from
Abby Dornblaser (Gilbertsville, PA/Boyertown).
Goucher responded with energy as they went toe-to-toe with Wilkes' attack. Wilkes went on a five-point run that was immediately matched with momentum from the Gophers as Goucher secured the set 25-22.
The third set mirrored the first as the Colonels and Gophers traded points with each other.
Kendra Kalp (Somerset, PA/Rockwood), Emilee Atherhoult, and Dornblaser had key kills that allowed for Wilkes to create separation.
Ava Wahlers (Coudersport, PA/Coudersport) secured the set 25-19 with a strong kill.
The Colonels came out in the fourth set with their eyes on a win as Kalp and Dornblaser came out with crucial kills. Wilkes went up on Goucher 24-11, but the Gophers did not lose faith as they attempted to climb their way out of the deficit with seven-straight points. The Colonels laid that surge to rest with a Kalp kill to secure the match.
Dornblaser led the night on kills with 19, followed by Leon who posted 17 kills and four aces. Atherhoult was dominant on the defensive end tallying three blocks.
Rachael Anderson (Canmore, AB/West Island College) completed 28 assists, and
Annalyse Santowasso (Middlesex, NJ/Rutgers Prep) was prevalent on defense with 16 digs.
The Colonels next match up is on the road against Moravian College on Tuesday, October 13 at 7 p.m.
