MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - - For the first time since 2019 the Wilmington University volleyball team returns home from its opening weekend tournament with a winning record, defeating Roberts Wesleyan and Mercyhurst on Saturday at Millersville to start the season 3-1.
The Wildcats went 2-1 in 2004, 3-1 in 2008, 3-2 in 2012, and 3-1 in 2019, as the only other years in which they came home above .500 after the first tournament of the year.
Set scores against Roberts Wesleyan were 25-17, 25-23, and 25-22.
Set scores against Mercyhurst were 25-23, 24-26, 25-12, 20-25, and 15-12.
Match vs. Roberts Wesleyan:
The Wildcats busted out of the gates with a .333 first set, hitting .152 for the match against Roberts Wesleyan. As a team, they collected 67 digs in the three sets, as well as 12 aces.
A pair of freshmen led the Wildcats in the opener on Saturday, as Cailyn Smiley put down six of her team high 12 kills in the third set. Claudia Melendez put away three of her team high six aces in the second set as well. Smiley added 12 digs for the double-double while Melendez chipped in with eight digs.
Elly Collins had 12 digs in each of the first and third sets to carry the back row, ending the match with 30 total. Brice Hansen added six kills while Alex Serna collected five terminations as well.
Match vs. Mercyhurst:
The fifth set nearly got away from the Wildcats to end the tournament, but a kill from Smiley, a Laker error, and a Melendez ace broke a 12-12 tie and ended the match, 15-12, to allow the Wildcats to go 3-1 in the opening weekend.
Cailyn Smiley again paced the offense with 11 kills, adding 16 digs as well to make it a double-double in three of the four matches this weekend. Shannen Litten hit .300 from the middle of the floor, putting down seven kills on 20 swings with only one error. She also added four aces, three digs, and a pair of blocks to lead the team with 12.5 points.
Five Wildcats walked away with double digit digs against the Lakers, paced by Elly Collins' 26. Smiley added her 16 digs while Katie Bushong and Claudia Melendez collected 11 digs each. Brice Hansen finished with 10 as well. Collins also faced 35 receptions and did not allow an ace in the match.
Up Next:
The Wildcats host their annual Wildcat Regional Invitational next weekend, as they welcome Kutztown, Queens, and Molloy to the WU Athletics Complex on Friday and Saturday.