Philadelphia, Pa. – In it's last Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference match of the regular season, the Wilmington University volleyball team found a way to come back from the University of the Science's 2-1 lead to defeat the Devils 3-2 Saturday afternoon at the Bobby Morgan Arena.
Set scores for the Wildcats were 25-13, 19-25, 23-25, 25-12, and 15-13.
The Wildcats (19-13, 13-6 CACC) got out to a fast start in the first set, scoring six straight points that included three Brittany Ford service aces for a 6-1 lead. The Devils (8-19, 5-14 CACC) tried holding on by scoring three straight points to come within two of the Wildcats 13-11 lead, but WilmU would go on another six point run to make it 19-11. USciences would score two more points before the Wildcats finished the first set on another six point run and back-to-back kills from Mandy Behiels to end the set, 25-13.
After dropping the first set, the Devils started the second set off with five straight points. They were able to increase their lead, 10-3 before WilmU called a timeout. The Wildcats would hold off three set points before the Devils were to take the set, 25-19.
It was point for point in the third set, as both teams would have a lead until the other came back to tie it up. Both teams were locked at 18-18, before the Devils secured two consecutive kills for a 20-18 lead, but the Wildcats would not back down. Back-to-back kills from Jill Braunsberg and Mandy Behiels and an attack error by the Devils would give WilmU a 23-22 lead, but USciences was able to bounce back and score the next three points and take the third set, 25-23.
The Wildcats seemed to have found themselves in the fourth set, jumping out in front the Devils 9-8, before going on a 9-0 run to make it an 18-8 score. The Wildcats would end the set on a six-point run and three back-to-back kills from Jill Braunsberg and Mandy Behiels to force set number five with a 25-12 win.
Back-and-forth action in the fifth set had the set locked at 9-9, before WilmU could secure three points to make it a 12-9 set. Wilmington was forced to call a timeout, as the Devils were fighting back and tied the set at 13-13. Thanks to back-to-back kills from Miranda Shaw and Bailey Andrews though, the Wildcats would take the fifth and final set, 15-13.
The Wildcats out-hit the Devils, 64-48, with a hitting percentage of .233 to the Devils .115. The Wildcats had 16 total blocks in the match compared to the Devils 13.
Mandy Behiels had a double-double with 19 kills and 13 digs, as Jill Braunsberg secured a triple-double with 11 kills, 17 assists, and 16 digs. Bailey Andrews added 13 kills and four block assists.
Rebecca Rawlinson was big at the net for the Wildcats, as she had four block assists and nine kills. Miranda Shaw dished out 25 assists, while Jenna Brown recorded 24 digs. Brittany Ford added three service aces and 12 digs for WilmU.
The Wildcats secured the fourth seed in the South Division and will travel to number one seed in the North Division Post University on Tuesday in the First Round of the CACC Tournament. First serve is set for 6:00 p.m.