BUFFALO, N.Y. - - The block returned to the forefront for the Wilmington University volleyball team on Sunday, as the Wildcats ended their trip to western New York with a 3-1 win at D'Youville.
Set scores for the match were 25-21, 28-26, 20-25, and 25-23.
The Wildcats (10-10) tied its season high with 14 total blocks on Sunday, collecting double-digit total blocks for the first time since Homecoming on September 28. The Wildcats also had three attackers with 12 or more kills, hitting .240 for the match.
Trailing 19-81 in the first set, A kill from Karla Nunez-Rivera started a 3-0 run, adding a block and then a kill from Alex Serna. After the teams traded points, the Wildcats used another 3-0 run to end the set, 25-21.
The Wildcats led the second set, 20-17, but the Saints rallied back to tie the set, 20-20. The teams split the next 12 points, neither team able to score back-to-back points, including the Wildcats gaining three set points in the process, starting at 24-23. But then a Saints service error gave the Wildcats a 27-26 lead and a bad set gave the Wildcats the set, 28-26.
The Saints took an early lead in the third set, 12-7, but an 8-1 run by the Wildcats pushed the visitors ahead, 15-13. With the Wildcats still leading, 18-16, D'Youville rattled off eight straight to take control and lead, 24-18.
A 10-4 Saints' run saw the home team take a 14-10 lead midway through the fourth set. A quick 3-0 spurt got he Wildcats back to within 17-16, but the Saints always maintained a lead, including back-to-back points to take a 23-20 advantage. But a kill from Karalyn Osborne sparked a match-ending run, getting a kill from Nunez-Rivera and back-to-back blocks from Osborne and Serna to end the match, 25-23.
Freshmen outside hitters Eliza Schneider and Karla Nunez-Rivera led the Wildcats with 13 kills each while Alex Serna put down 12 with only one error while hitting .550 for the match. Serna also added seven blocks in the match. Ally Jonika led the Wildcats at the net with seven block assists.
Karalyn Osborne put down eighth kills while adding a team-high 23 assists, six digs, and four blocks. Gabby Barth led with 12 digs while Morgan Daniels added 10 digs. Cam Justus dished out 11 assists as well.
The Wildcats' seven-game road trip continues as they return back east, making the short trip to Goldey-Beacom on Wednesday for a CACC South Division battle. The opening serve is set for 7:00 p.m.