Hot Start Doesn’t Last as Wilmington Volleyball Falls, 3-1, to Georgian Court

Hot Start Doesn’t Last as Wilmington Volleyball Falls, 3-1, to Georgian Court

Copyright 2016; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. File photo of Rawlinson against Nyack, taken by Frank Stallworth.

NEWARK, Del. - - After taking the first set against Georgian Court, the Wilmington University volleyball team dropped a 3-1 decision to the Lions in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division battle on Tuesday night at the WU Athletics Complex.

Set scores for the match were 25-17, 16-25, 21-25, and 15-25.

The Wildcats (9-20, 6-12 CACC) jumped all over the Lions (18-16, 14-5 CACC) in the first set, hitting .275 as a team with only committing four errors. The Wildcats held leads of 10-6 and 15-10 before jumping out to a 21-14 lead. The teams traded the final five points of the set, getting a final kill from Allison Briley for the opening game win, 25-17.

But the Wildcats went on to hit under .100 in each of the final three sets, opening the door for the Lions. Georgian Court hit .205 in the second set to tie the match before swinging momentum into its favor with a 25-21 victory in the third set. The Lions carried the momentum over into the fourth set, turning a 9-8 lead into a 16-10 advantage. Four straight service aces by Jennifer Smith gave the Lions a 23-14 lead before a kill ended the match, 25-15.

Briley finished with a match high 17 kills, ending strong to hit .173 on the night. She added 15 digs for the double-double, collecting a match best 19 points. Rebecca Rawlinson hit a team best .241 with 10 kills, only committing three errors. The freshman also collected three solo blocks on the night.

Jill Braunsberg dished out 17 assists while adding 15 digs and sophomore Miranda Shaw distributed 15 assists while adding 14 digs herself. Jenna Brown led all Wildcats with 26 digs on the night.

The Lions were led by Peggy Rosario's 15 kills while Kelsie Blue finished with 10 kills and four solo blocks. Janelli Torres led the match with 28 digs on the back row.

The Wildcats close out the 2016 season on Saturday when they host USciences on Senior Day. The match is set for a 12:00 p.m. first serve, but will start after the team honors its two seniors, Allison Briley and Megan Ward, during pregame.