(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – The 2023 season opened up between two new conference rivals in a non-conference affair as United East squads Wilson and Penn State-Harrisburg squared off Friday evening. The Nittany Lions came out on top, but all was not lost for the Phoenix who greatly improved through the course of the night.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 0, Penn State-Harrisburg 3 (25-9, 25-10, 25-19)
Venue: Gannett Field House
Records: Wilson 0-1, Penn State-Harrisburg 1-0
How It Happened
- After the visitors took a commanding lead in the first set en route a 1-0 lead, Wilson showed that it would not go away quietly in the second. A Grace Owens (Fy., Winchester, Va. / James Wood) ace brought the Phoenix within one early at 5-4, and consecutive kills by Abby Moreland (Fy., Sabillasville, Md. / Catoctin) and Deah Menedis (Jr., Reisterstown, Md. / Franklin) followed to put Wilson within two at 8-6. However Harrisburg caught the momentum wave as the set went on and went on a 7-0 run to take a 2-0 lead.
- The third set saw the Nittany Lions take another large lead, but Wilson was able to chop away at the deficit and threaten to force a fourth set. Trailing 20-8, an ace by Michaela Windisch (Fy., Westminster, Md. / Catoctin) and a kill by Niki Schussler (Jr., Chambersburg, Pa. / Cumberland Valley Christian) helped fuel a 5-0 rally. Kills by Menedis and Moreland kept momentum on Wilson's side to make the score 21-15.
- Wilson closed the gap even more with an Amelia Edens (Jr., Pasadena, Md. / Glen Burnie) kill, an Addie Hebert (Fy., Gettysburg, Pa. / Gettysburg) ace, and a kill from Allyson Garcelon (So., Shresbury, Pa. / Susquehannock) to make the score 23-19. However, the visitors were able to take the next two points to complete the match.
Inside The Numbers
- The Phoenix attack was balanced between Menedis and Moreland. Menedis led the team with five kills, while Moreland followed with four. Windisch set up the offense and finished with 13 assists.
- Defensively Hebert paced the Phoenix and hit double digits with a match-high 10 digs in her collegiate debut.
- Garcelon played big up front and rejected two blocks by herself to lead all players.
- Harrisburg was paced by Camryn Wettstone with nine kills. Katie Richardson tallied 24 assists and also led the team with seven digs.
Up Next
Wilson will take on another Penn State branch on Tuesday when it will take on Altoona. Opening serve is set for 7 p.m.
