Press Release Written by Sports Information Gradate Intern Mary Kate Rumbaugh
NEWARK, Del. – A 2-0 lead for the Wilmington University volleyball team slowly became a tied game, but the Wildcats were able to hold off Georgian Court, 3-2, winning the fifth and final set, 15-12 on Thursday night at the WU Athletics Complex.
Set points for each set were, 25-21, 25-21, 21-25, 18-25, and 15-12.
The Wildcats (9-5, 1-1 CACC) found themselves down toward the end in each set, but stayed composed in the final set against Georgian Court (9-4, 2-1 CACC) to give the Lions their first CACC loss of the season.
The Lions would take a 20-16 lead over the Wildcats in the first set, but Wilmington fought back three straight points before GCU made it 21-19. Rebecca Rawlinson started a six point run for the Wildcats on a kill to the back right corner, before two service aces from Dorie Moore gave the Wildcats a 23-21 lead to help secure the first set win, 25-21.
The Lions would get out to the early lead in the second set, before the Wildcats scored seven consecutive points including several kills from Bailey Andrews to take the lead, 15-12. A four-point run for Georgian Court would give them the lead back though, but once again the Wildcats fought back to tie the game and eventually take a three-point lead, before Rebecca Rawlinson secured the second set on a service ace.
GCU would take a 19-13 lead in the third set to stay alive, before winning the set, 25-21. Looking to force a fifth set to stay alive, Georgian Court would take a 19-12 lead and hold off the Wildcats, 25-18, to tie the match up, 2-2.
In a close start to the fifth set, GCU would have a two-point lead as both teams switched sides. An attacking error by the Lions helped the Wildcats go on a three-point run followed by a kill from Bailey Andrews and a service ace from Sarah Couch to give the Wildcats a 10-9 lead. Georgian Court would tie things up at 10, but another three-point run forced the Lions into a timeout. Andrews would give WilmU match point on a kill down the line, before an attacking error from the Lions sealed the game, as Wilmington secured the match, 15-12.
Bailey Andrews led the Wildcats with 18 kills and four block assists, as Mandy Behiels secured a double-double with 11 kills and 13 digs. Senior Rebecca Rawlinson had nine kills, four block solos, and three block assists at the net, as Angel Oliver had five block assists as well. Both teams came away with 13 total blocks on the night
Sarah Couch dished out 42 assists, while Elly Collins led the back row with 20 digs. Freshman Dorie Moore got into the mix collecting six kills and 16 digs.
Wilmington had 13 service aces in the match, although they were outhit in the contest, 55-49.
The Wildcats are back at home on Saturday for homecoming, as they are the first game of a triple header at the Complex. First serve is set for 11 a.m. against USciences.
