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NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University volleyball team spread the wealth around in a 3-0 nonconference victory over Mercy on Thursday night at the WU Athletics Complex.

Set scores for the match were 25-17, 25-19, and 25-17.

The Wildcats (13-10) collected nine total blocks in the three sets and nine aces. The defense held the Mavericks (9-12) to hitting .076 for the match, picking up 57 digs as well.

Wilmington didn't break away in the first set until midway through. Tied 15-15, the Wildcats scored three straight points to take an 18-15 lead. Now leading 20-17, Katie Bushong rattled off the final five points of the game, getting two aces during the stretch, including set point, 25-17.

The second set was close early on as well, with the Mavericks leading 14-11. An Angel Oliver kill started a 3-0 run and then a block by Dorie Moore and Mandy Behiels sparked another 5-0 run and the Wildcats found themselves in front, 19-15. Mercy got within 21-19, but a service error gave the ball back over to Wilmington and they got back-to-back kills from Heather Pedrick and a final Maverick attack error to take the second set, 25-19.  

Mercy was leading the third set, 10-9, before the Wildcats took control of the game. A kill by Oliver and then a block by Oliver and Pedrick gave the Wildcats a 12-10 lead. Three more points pushed the Wildcats ahead, 15-11, before another short 4-0 spurt ending with a Genevieve Hughes ace and an Angel Oliver kill gave the Wildcats a 19-12 lead. Mercy got within 21-17 before the Wildcats put the match away. A solo block by Dorie Moore moved the score to 23-17, and then the match ended with back-to-back Mercy errors, 25-17.

Angel Oliver and Heather Pedrick led the offense with eight kills each while Pedrick finished with 10 assists, 22 digs, four block assists, and two aces. Mandy Behiels and Jessica Connelly finished with five kills each while Dorie Moore finished with four kills, a solo block, and five block assists.

Katie Bushong dished out 15 assists while Elly Collins added 16 digs and Mandy Behiels chipped in with 10 digs.

The Wildcats return to Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play and play their final nonconference match of the season on Saturday in a tri-match at home. They play Caldwell at 12:00 p.m. and wrap up the day with a match against Millersville at 6:00 p.m. at the WU Athletics Complex.