(FACTORYVILLE, Pa.) – Upset was on the minds of the Wilson women's volleyball team as it played Keystone in the regular season finale. The Phoenix was able to steal the second set away from the Giants, but eventually the hosts laid claim to a four-set victory.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 1, Keystone 3 (25-9, 26-28, 25-12, 25-11)
Venue: Gambal Athletic Center
Records: Wilson 4-20, 4-5 CSAC; Keystone 12-12, 7-2 CSAC
How It Happened
- After the Giants easily took the opening set, the Phoenix rose up and started firing on all cylinders. At one point it looked like Keystone would go on to take a 2-0 lead up 14-8, however Wilson rallied to tie the set at 19-all with Niki Schussler (So., Chambersburg, Pa. / Cumberland Valley Christian) provided the equalizer with a kill. A pair of Deah Menedis (So., Reisterstown, Md. / Franklin) kills eventually gave the Phoenix a 23-22 lead. The set required more than the usual 25 to win, and another pair of Schussler attacks provided the win-by-two advantage of 28-26 to even the match at 1-1.
- Keeping the momentum, Wilson was able to split the opening 14 points and tied the third set at 7-all on an Anna Householder (Jr., Hagerstown, Md. / North Hagerstown) kill. Unfortunately for the Phoenix, Keystone generated a 9-0 run to regain control of the match. Wilson was able to make a small 3-0 run near the end of the third set, but it would be its longest for the remainder of the match as the Giants went on to take the third and fourth sets by large margins.
Inside The Numbers
- The 28-26 matched the season-best for most points in a set this season by Wilson. The Phoenix previously had a 28-26 set in the conference opening win against Bryn Athyn.
- Menedis led the offense with 15 kills on the evening. Schussler also reached double figures with 10 kills. It's the fifth time this season both of them have reached double figures.
- Schussler was a force all around the rotation with 12 digs to record the double double, her first of the season. The 12 digs match her season-best.
- Allyson Garcelon (Fy., Shrewsbury, Pa. / Susquehannock) and Jenna Dixon (Fy., California, Pa. / Califnornia) set up the attack with 14 and 13 assists, respectively.
Up Next
While it was the regular season finale, the season isn't over as the youthful Phoenix squad has clinched a bid to the postseason. It is unclear who they will play, but Wilson will be on the road for the CSAC Tournament quarterfinals which will be played this Tuesday.
