(LANGHORNE, Pa.) – The season may have ended Wilson's women's volleyball team with a defeat by Cairn in the CSAC quarterfinals Tuesday, but it did not go down quietly. While the sixth-seeded Phoenix were swept by the third-seeded Highlanders, Wilson improved greatly from their regular season encounter in Chambersburg last month.
The Basics
Score: No. 6 Wilson 0, No. 3 Cairn 3 (25-18, 25-14, 25-17)
Venue: Mason Activity Center
Records: No. 6 Wilson 4-21, No. 3 Cairn 17-5
How It Happened
- A small 3-1 run early in the opening set brought the Phoenix within one at 6-5 with Deah Menedis (So., Reisterstown, Md. / Franklin) sparking the rally with a kill. However, the Phoenix could get no closer as the Highlanders eventually made their move with an 8-1 rally to answer and take a 14-6 lead. Still, Wilson didn't go away and still remained within striking distance in the late stages. Kills from Anna Householder (Jr., Hagerstown, Md. / North Hagerstown) and Niki Schussler (So., Chambersburg, Pa. / Cumberland Valley Christian) helped put Wilson within five at 23-18, but Cairn tallied the next two points for the 1-0 lead.
- Wilson opened up with the first two points of the second game for some early momentum before Cairn regained it with the next four. The Phoenix still remained competitive and stayed within two at 11-9 after another Householder kills and a bad set from the Highlanders. The hosts followed up with a 10-2 run to take a 21-11 regain control and went on for win in the second.
- The best start for the Phoenix took place in the third set as they held a 7-5 lead after an ace from Karyssa Faith (Fy., Clear Spring, Md. / Saint Maria Goretti). The next three points went to Cairn, but a Menedis kill tied the set one last time at 8-all. A kill by Allyson Garcelon (Fy., Shrewsbury, Pa. / Susquehannock) and another Faith ace put the score at 20-16 in favor of the Highlanders before the hosts went on to complete the sweep.
Inside The Numbers
- Schissler and Menedis led the offense with six kills each. Both played well defensively with 13 digs each for team-high honors.
- Garcelon and Jenna Dixon (Fy., California, Pa. / California) set up the offense with eight and five assists, respectively.
- Alexis Buckley (So., Millsboro, Del. / Indian River) also reached double figures in digs with 10.
- Between the first matchup and this contest between the two schools, Wilson improved its score by eight points in the first set, five in the second, and two in the third.
- Allison Barnes led the Highlanders with 11 kills and three aces.
Up Next
The Phoenix will enter the offseason while the Highlanders move on to the semifinals.
