(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – The Wilson women's volleyball team played a tri for its home opener with Penn State-Abington and King's visiting Gannett Field House Saturday. While the Phoenix dropped both contests, they showed some promise by winning their first game of the season and battling in each set.
The Basics
Scores: Wilson 1, Penn State-Abington 3 (25-9, 25-11, 21-25, 25-11)
Wilson 0, King's 3 (25-13, 25-14, 25-17)
Venue: Gannett Field House
Records: Wilson 0-6, Penn State-Abington 4-1, King's 2-2
How It Happened (Match 1 vs. PS-Abington)
- Abington took a commanding lead before Wilson generated some momentum. A 6-1 rally aided by a pair of Niki Schussler (So., Chambersburg, Pa. / Cumberland Valley Christian) kills and a pair of aces by Jenna Dixon (Fr., California, Pa. / California) made the score 22-9 before the Lions closed out the first game.
- Wilson had its best offensive percentage in the second set as it hit .217. Unfortunately for the Phoenix, so did the Lions who hit .556 en route to a 2-0 lead.
- The Phoenix finally broke through in the third set for their first win of the season. Penn State opened with the first three points, but Wilson bounced back with the next four. With the Lions up 17-16, Wilson took the lead for good on a 4-0 run. It was by committee as Schussler, Deah Menedis (So., Reisterstown, Md. / Franklin), and Karyssa Faith (Fr., Clear Spring, Md. / Saint Maria Goretti) all laid down kills. A 4-1 run later in the frame put the Phoenix at game point before a Lions error gave Wilson the win.
- Abington didn't allow the momentum to last long, however, and jumped out to another big lead in the fourth and held on for the 25-9 decision.
Inside The Numbers (Match 1 vs. PS-Abington)
- Menedis had her best match of the season thus far with nine kills. She nearly had a double-double as she picked up 12 digs on the day as well.
- Schussler also finished with a season-best eight kills and made eight digs as well.
- Defensively Alexis Buckley (So., Millsboro, Del. / Indian River) hit double figures with 10 digs.
- Dixon did well serving on the day as she put down three aces.
How It Happened (Match 2 vs. King's)
- Although the Phoenix were swept in the nightcap, they got stronger as the match went on. Wilson actually opened up with a 3-1 lead and battled even through the first 12 points, but a 5-0 rally gave the Monarchs the lead for good.
- Wilson again played close to start the second. Each time King's looked to pull away, the Phoenix kept it close. A kill by Allyson Garcelon (Fr., Shrewsbury, Pa. / Susquehannock) tied the set at 10-10, but King's eventually pulled away with an 8-0 run.
- King's rushed out to a 6-0 run to start the third. A kill and an ace by Menedis helped Wilson pull within two at 13-11, but the Phoenix could get no closer the rest of the way.
Inside The Numbers (Match 2 vs. King's)
- Menedis matched her season best of nine kills with nine more in the nightcap. Schussler equaled her with nine as well to share match-high honors.
- Both led the team defensively as well with seven digs each.
Up Next
The Phoenix will return to action Tuesday when they host Lancaster Bible College. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
