Copyright 2016; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. Photo of the team against Nyack, taken by Frank Stallworth.
NEWARK, Del. - - Wilmington volleyball finally found their winning ways with a 3-0 victory over the visiting Warriors of Nyack College in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) volleyball action on Saturday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
Set scores for the match were 25-17, 25-14, and 25-7.
The Wildcats' (8-14, 5-8 CACC) win helped the squad breaking a 6-match, and 18-set losing streak, as a balanced offensive attack, coupled with strong play at the net, gave the hosts the three-set sweep.
Wilmington jumped out early in the first set, marching out to a quick 12-3 on a kill from Allison Briley. Nyack (7-16, 4-8 CACC), got as close 17-13 after a kill by Hadley Spresser, but the 'Cats put down three of the set's final four points to secure the win.
It was all Nyack to start the second set, as the visitors opened with a 4-0 lead. That lead would grow to as many as five (6-1) before Wilmington used runs of two different runs of four straight points to take a 14-10 lead. Back-to-back kills from Briley stretched the lead to 19-11, and shortly thereafter, three consecutive points ended the set in favor of the home team.
Wilmington jumped out early to start the third set, rolling to a quick 7-0 lead courtesy of strong serving from the arm of Briley. The Warriors never got closer than seven points (10-3) down the stretch, and the Wildcats cruised to the shutout victory.
It was Briley who led the 'Cats, notching 10 kills and seven digs, while hitting .333 for the match. Freshman Jill Braunsberg added nine kills and 15 assists, while hitting .389, while junior Eile Harris chipped in with five kills on eight swings, and tied a team-high with three blocks. Sophomore Miranda Shaw dished out a match-high 16 assists and recorded 14 digs for the double-double effort. Libero Jenna Brown rounded out the defense with 15 digs.
The Wildcats hit .316 for the match, while holding Nyack to a negative .009 hitting percentage. Wilmington was stronger at the net, recording eight total blocks, while the Warriors didn't record a single block in the match. The 'Cats picked up seven service aces, with three coming from Brown.
Wilmington hits the road for their next match, as they travel to take on CACC South leading Philadelphia University on Tuesday evening. First serve is set for 6:00 p.m.
