QUEENS, N.Y. - - The Wilmington University volleyball team wrapped up its opening weekend of the 2019 season in Queens, New York, defeating Franklin Pierce, 3-1, and Queens, 3-0, on Sunday afternoon in Fitzgerald Gymnasium.
With the two wins, the Wildcats improve to 3-1 on the season and prepare for the 2019 Wildcat Regional Invitational on their home court next weekend.
Match vs. Franklin Pierce, 3-1 - 25-14, 27-25, 14-25, and 25-23.
The Wildcats jumped out and took the first two sets from the Ravens, hitting .438 and .300, respectively, to take control of the match. The Ravens (3-1) fought back by hitting .333 in the third set to keep the game alive, but the Wildcats battled back and collected their most kills of the match, 13, to put the Ravens away in the fourth set, 25-23.
Freshman Dorie Moore led the attack with a weekend high 14 kills on 24 attempts, all while only committing two errors for a .500 attack percentage. She also had four aces in the match. Bailey Andrews added 13 kills on a .333 attack percentage, chipping in with three block assists as well.
Sophomore setter Sarah Couch set a new personal best with 44 assists, adding nine digs to help pout the defense. Elly Collins led the back row with 23 digs while adding five aces.
The Wildcats hit .291 as a team while picking up 51 digs and holding the Ravens to a .146 attack percentage for the match.
Match vs. Queens, 3-0 - 25-16, 25-16, 26-24.
The Wildcats collected 11 service aces and five blocks in the final match of the weekend, picking up the straight set win over Queens.
Leading 16-15 in the first 0set, the Wildcats rattled off three straight and nine of the next 10 points to secure the first game victory. The Wildcats then got off to a 7-1 start in the second set, and led 18-10 late in the game. Kills from Bailey Andrews and Angel Oliver gave the Wildcats a 21-12 lead before back-to-back Knight errors put the Wildcats ahead, 2-0.
A block from Sarah Couch and Angel Oliver put the Wildcats up, 20-15, in the third set, but the Knights fired back with six consecutive points to take a 21-20 lead. Now trailing 22-21, the Wildcats answered with three straight points, getting a kill from Oliver before back-to-back kills from Mandy Behiels for match point, 24-22. The Knights tied the set at 24-24, but a kill from Behiels and an ace from Elly Collins ended the set and the match, 26-24.
Mandy Behiels led the offense with nine kills while adding a team second best nine digs. Angel Oliver added seven kills while Bailey Andrews chipped in with five kills. Sarah Couch dished out 31 more assists while Elly Collins led the back row with 15 digs.
Next Up:
The Wildcats host their annual Wildcat Regional Invitational next weekend at the WU Athletics Complex. The home opener and beginning of the tournament is scheduled for Friday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. against Le Moyne.