BLOOMSBURG, Pa. - - A slow start to the fifth set proved to be the difference for the Wilmington University volleyball team in a back-and-forth five-set loss at Bloomsburg on Tuesday night in Nelson Field House.
Set scores for the match for Wilmington were 25-22, 24-26, 13-25, 25-22, and 9-15.
The Huskies (6-11) jumped out to a 5-1 lead to start the fifth and deciding set, as the home team took as large as a six-point lead in the game to 15 points. The Wildcats (10-9) fought back to within 8-5, but again found themselves down big, 11-5, after a 3-0 run. Kills from Cailyn Smiley and Karalyn Osborne got the Wildcats to within 12-9, but then the Huskies rattled off the final three points of the match to win, 15-9.
The Wildcats won the first set with the help of a 5-0 run late to take a 23-19 lead. The Wildcats led 20-13 in the second set before a bit Huskies comeback. The Huskies scored 13 of the final 17 points of the set to storm back and win the game, even as the Wildcats held set point, 24-23, to even the match, 1-1.
The third set was all Bloomsburg but then the Wildcats used another late run in the fourth game to force the fifth set. Trailing 17-16, the Wildcats went on a 6-0 run, capped by a Dorie Moore and Osborne block, to lead 22-17. The Huskies got to within 22-21 before a kill from Karalyn Osborne gave the Wildcats set point, 24-21. After a block saves one set point for the Huskies, Cailyn Smiley tied the match, 2-2, with a kill to end the fourth set, 25-22.
Shannen Litten led the Wildcats by hitting .407 for the match, putting down 14 terminations with only three errors. She also had a team high four blocks, all solo, on the night. Cailyn Smiley also added 14 kills, adding 11 digs for the double-double. Karalyn Osborne finished with seven kills and only one error, adding three block assists as well.
Katie Bushong dished out 42 helpers and added 12 digs for the double-double while Elly Collins led the back row with 21 digs.
The Wildcats stay outside CACC play for the final time with their next match, as they head to New Haven for the nonconference match in Connecticut. The first serve is set for 6:00 p.m.