(BRYN ATHYN, Pa.) – For the second time this season the Wilson women's volleyball team bounced back from a 2-0 deficit to force a fifth set. Unfortunately for the Phoenix, they were unable to complete the comeback as they fell to Bryn Athyn in Skye Division play on Saturday afternoon.
The Basics
Scores: Wilson 2, Bryn Athyn 3 (25-15, 25-21, 22-25, 23-25, 15-10)
Venue: Asplundh Field House
Records: Wilson 1-18, 1-1 Skye; Bryn Athyn 2-12, 2-1 Skye
How It Happened
- It took a while for the Phoenix to warm up as a slow start saw them trail 8-4 early before two kills from Allyson Garcelon (So., Shrewsbury, Pa. / Susquehannock) and another by Michaela Windisch (FY, Westminster, Md. / Catoctin) got Wilson within one. A kill from Abby Moreland (FY, Sabillasville, Md. / Catoctin) and a service error helped them stay there, but they couldn't take advantage and get over the hump. The Lions eventually built downhill momentum and finished with an 11-3 run for a one set lead.
- The second set was much more competitive with neither team able to take more than a two-point lead until a 4-0 run gave Wilson a 15-12 advantage following kills from Garcelon and Deah Menedis (Jr., Reisterstown, Md. / Franklin). The two later connected on back-to-back strikes for a 17-14 lead before the Lions flipped the script and went on a 6-0 run to take the lead and control en route to winning the second set.
- The best start for the Phoenix came in the third as they jumped out to an 8-1 lead. Four points came on kills from Moreland, Menedis and Windisch while the rally was capped by a block from Menedis and Maddie Watson (So., Lancaster, Pa. / Lancaster Mennonite). Two aces from Grace Owens (FY, Winchester, Pa. / James Wood) helped Wilson stay comfortably ahead with a 15-7 lead. Bryn Athyn chopped away and eventually closed the gap to three at 22-19, but a Garcelon block, a Moreland kill, and an Windisch ace allowed Wilson to stay alive.
- Wilson started the fourth out fast as a pair of kills by Moreland helped spur an 8-5 lead. From there the Lions were able to come back and take the lead and exchanging it with the Phoenix in a ping pong fashion with two kills from Menedis and another from Niki Schussler (Jr., Chambersburg, Pa. / Cumberland Valley Christian) giving the Blue and White the advantage each time. The Lions looked to close out the match as a 5-0 run put the hosts up 17-13, but a 7-2 rally capped by a Windisch kill gave Wilson a 20-19 lead. The Lions came back with the next three before Wilson countered with two Moreland kills, a Windisch kill, and a Windisch ace. A bad Lions set gave the Blue and White the set to force the fifth.
- The Lions got off to a quick start with a 4-1 lead before Wilson came back and tied it at 6-all thanks to kills from Menedis, Windisch and Garcelon. Two plays later Moreland made it 7-all with a kill before Bryn Athyn took the lead for good with the next two points. Moreland added another kill and an ace, but the Lions were too much down the stretch and took the fifth.
Inside The Numbers
- Moreland finished with 18 kills to lead the Blue and White. It's the fifth consecutive match in double digits for the first year hitter. She was strong on the back line as well as she picked up 24 digs for her fourth double double of the season.
- Menedis recorded a double double herself with 12 kills and 16 digs. It was her first of the year.
- Leading the back line defense was Addie Hebert (FY, Gettysburg, Pa. / Gettysburg). In Wilson's previous five-set thriller the previous Saturday, she recorded 34 digs. She surpassed that by two for a new season best.
- Windisch set up the attack with 30 assists on the afternoon, but was dangerous herself as the attacker with seven kills on 19 attempts for a hitting percentage of .368.
- Bryn Athyn was led by Riley Breen with 19 kills. Sabrina Brock added 17.
Up Next
Wilson will look to get back in the win column when it heads to St. Elizabeth on Wednesday. First serve with the Eagles is set for 7 p.m.
