(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – The Wilson women's volleyball team continues to improve and played its best match to date, but still fell short in a battle with Mary Baldwin on Tuesday evening. The Phoenix and Fighting Squirrels split the opening two sets before the visitors rebounded to take match in four.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 1, Mary Baldwin 3 (25-23, 14-25, 25-20, 25-17)
Venue: Gannett Field House
Records: Wilson 0-6, Mary Baldwin 2-7
How It Happened
- The Phoenix looked strong in the beginning as they jumped out to a 7-3 lead in the opening set behind three kills from Niki Schussler (Jr., Chambersburg, Pa. / Cumberland Valley Christian). She added a fourth kill to extend the lead to seven at 16-9. Wilson was able to maintain that separation following a kill from Deah Menedis (Jr., Reisterstown, Md. / Franklin) that made it 19-12, but the Squirrels started to scurry and rallied to make cut the deficit to one at 21-20. A kill from Abby Moreland (Fy., Sabillasville, Md. / Catoctin) and a bad set by MBU put Wilson up 23-20, but the visitors went on a 5-0 run to snatch the first set.
- Wilson fired back in a big way in the second. A kill from Menedis and Moreland separated a 7-all tie and put the Blue and White on a 7-1 run to take control. Allyson Garcelon (So., Shrewsbury, Pa. / Susquehannock) was a catalyst for the spark as she served up three aces, the last of which made it 14-8. Three consecutive kills later made it 18-10. After Mary Baldwin answered with the next three point, Wilson went on another 7-1 run with three more Menedis kills to even the match.
- The third set played close for most of the match with Wilson holding a slight let up until it was 16-14 after a Garcelon kill. MBU answered with a 4-0 run before Wilson tied it again at 18-all on a Garcelon kill and ace. The Squirrels countered with the next six points, and although Wilson scored the next two on an Amelia Edens (Jr., Pasadena, Md. / Glen Burnie) strike and an error by MBU, the visitors took the third on a kill on the next point.
- Mary Baldwin fed off the momentum and jumped out to a 5-0 lead to start the fourth. Wilson played from behind for the entire set, but was able to cut the deficit down to two at 16-14 after a Schussler kill. The Phoenix remained within striking distance until the Squirrels scored five-straight and seven of eight to close the night.
Inside The Numbers
- Menedis had her best match of the young season with a season-best 13 kills on 32 attacks. She tied Mary Baldwin's Hanna Roach for match-high honors.
- Many others in Blue and White also had season bests. Schussler struck down 11 attacks while Moreland was one shy of double figures herself. Michaela Windisch (Fy., Westminster, Md. / Catoctin) set up the offense with a personal best 34 assists.
- Garcelon and Moreland tied MBU's Jaisley Tibayan with four aces each. Both teams knotted 12 on the evening.
- Defensively Moreland paced the back line with a season-best 15 digs. She led a trio of Phoenix in double figures which also included 12 from Addie Hebert (Fy., Gettysburg, Pa. / Gettysburg) and 11 from Windisch.
Up Next
The Phoenix resume action at McDaniel this Friday. First serve with the Green Terror is set for 7 p.m.
