PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - Jefferson swept a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division contest from the Wilmington University volleyball team on Tuesday night inside the Gallagher Athletic Center, 3-0, evening the season series between the two conference rivals.
Set scores for the match were 25-21, 27-25, and 25-15.
The Rams (20-4, 11-4 CACC) outhit the Wildcats (17-11, 11-3 CACC), .196 to .114, collecting more kills, 47-34, getting to three more digs, 81-78, and picking up four more services aces, 7-4. The Wildcats out-blocked the Rams, 6-1.
Jefferson held a slight lead in the opening set, 13-12, before the Wildcats mad a run. They scored four straight to take a 16-13 lead, and then another 4-1 run to grab a 20-17 lead off a kill from Mandy Behiels. But the Rams spun the deficit around, scoring the next five points to take a 22-20 lead. Mandy Behiels put down another kill, but that would be the last point of the set for the Wildcats as the Rams scored the final three point to take the lead, 25-21.
With the second set tied, 9-9, the Wildcats used the service game of Katie Bushong to score six consecutive points and take a 15-9 lead. The Wildcats were able to hold onto the lead, getting a kill from Angel Oliver to take a 20-16 advantage. But the Rams battled back, scoring five straight to take a 21-20 lead. Mandy Behiels put down a kill to tie the set, 21-21, but the Rams gained set point, 24-22. The Wildcats held off two set points, getting a kill by Behiels and a block by Heather Pedrick and Dorie Moore to tie the set, 24-24. Heather Pedrick again tied it, 25-25, with a kill, but then the Rams scored back-to-back points to take the set, 27-25.
A Grace Morton ace gave the Wildcats a 5-2 lead in the third set, but the Rams went on a 11-1 run to gain control and lead 14-6. Another 3-0 swing pushed the Rams' lead out to 19-10, and the Wildcats could only trade points with the Rams the rest of the way, falling 25-15 in the set.
Mandy Behiels led the Wildcats with 14 kills and 10 digs for her ninth double-double of the year. Heather Pedrick had eight kills, 15 assists, 11 digs, and three block assists while Angel Oliver had seven kills, six digs, a solo block and a block assist. Elly Collins picked up 28 digs in the three sets while Grace Morton added 12 digs. Dorie Moore chipped in with three block assists and a block solo.
The Wildcats will look to get back on track with a three-match home stand coming up. They stay in the CACC South Division on Thursday when they host Chestnut Hill at the WU Athletics Complex. The first serve is set for 7:00 p.m.