NEWARK, Del. - - In the final regular season contest at the WU Athletics complex of the 2013 volleyball season, Wilmington University swept its way past Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference foe Goldey-Beacom on Senior night in front of fans dressed for Halloween.
Set scores for the match were 25-15, 25-13, and 25-12.
It was the final regular season match in front of the home crowd for three four-year letterwinners in the Wildcat (20-9, 15-2 CACC) program. Seniors Brittany Biddle, Annie Scarfo, and Katie Shorter paced the Wildcats to the 14th straight victory over their cross-town rival Lightning (5-20, 0-16 CACC).
Shorter and Biddle were at the front of the attack with seven and high kills, respectively, while Scarfo led the back line with 11 digs on the night. Shorter also accounted for three solo blocks and six block assists at the net while Biddle added a pair of block assists as well. In all, the Wildcat defense held the Lightning defense to a negative .093 on the night.
The first set was decided on the strength of a 13-1 run with the serve of Shelby Henderson and Scarfo. They turned an 11-9 deficit into a 22-12 advantage, with the ability to cruise to the first set win. Taylor Rapuano served the Wildcats out, collecting back-to-back service aces to win 25-15 in the first.
An 11-2 run midway through the second set was the turning point in the second frame, as the Wildcats were able to increase a 6-5 lead to a 17-7 lead in a matter of moments. A block by Biddle and Hannah Karas gave the Wildcats set point before Kaitlin DiGiacinto put the Wildcats ahead 2-0 with a kill, 25-13.
Scarfo came out on fire to start the third set, serving the Wildcats to a 10-0 lead after a kill by Shorter gave the Wildcats the ball. Scarfo had two aces during the run. Another 4-0 run gave the Wildcats a 15-3 lead following kills by Alex Siolos, Biddle and DiGiacinto, and a block by Biddle and DiGiacinto. Now leading 19-12, a double block by Shorter and Siolos kick started a 6-0 run to end the set, with another Rapuano ace ending the game, and the match, 25-12.
Rapuano finished with four service aces while Scarfo collected three on the night. DiGiacinto added a ace as well, giving the Wildcats eight on the night.
The win was the fourth in a row by the Wildcats, keeping them in front of the South Division in the CACC. Wilmington has two contests remaining in its regular season, both against North Division foes. The Wildcats travel to Concordia on Saturday for a match at 1 p.m.