Copyright 2016; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. File photo of Miranda Shaw in 2015 CACC Quarterfinals.
MELBOURNE, Fla. - - The Wilmington University volleyball team wrapped up its opening weekend at the 2016 Panther Invite with a pair of 3-0 setbacks to host Florida Tech and Georgia College on Saturday afternoon in the Clemente Center.
Set scores against Florida Tech were 25-14, 25-16, and 25-19.
Set scores against Georgia College were 25-14, 25-17, and 25-23.
Florida Tech used early runs to control the tempo of each set, jumping out to a first set lead of 14-6, a second set lead of 11-4, and again an 11-4 lead in the third set.
The Wildcats (0-3) could only hit .104 as a team against the Panthers, as the host team came up with 51 digs and six blocks. Allison Briley led the Wildcats with six kills and 10 digs while freshman Rebecca Rawlinson added six kills and one block assist. Miranda Shaw dished out a team high 13 assists while Addalyn Flores led all Wildcats with 11 digs.
The slow starts loomed large once again for the Wildcats in the day's second game against Georgia College, as the Bobcats jumped out to a 12-5 lead in the first set. The Bobcats turned a 9-9 second set into a 17-11 lead, before turning an 11-10 lead into an 18-13 advantage in the third.
The Wildcats finished with a .142 attack percentage for the match, collecting 30 kills but the Bobcats came up with 53 digs. The Wildcats also committed six service errors during the match to give the ball back to Georgia College.
Briley again paced the offense with nine kills, adding five digs and two block assists defensively. Freshman Emma Kongevold hit .500 with eight kills, not committing an error on 16 swings in the match. Shaw and freshman Jill Brainsberg dished out 10 assists each while Addalyn Flores finished with 15 digs to lead the team.
The Wildcats return to the Northeast and host Millersville on Wednesday for their 2016 home opener. The Wildcats will then host their annual Wildcat Regional Tournament next Friday and Saturday at the WU Athletics Complex. The home opener against the Marauders is scheduled for a 7 p.m. first serve.