(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – A comeback for the ages nearly took place as Wilson almost defeated Pitt-Bradford in the final match of a tri on Saturday. The Phoenix dropped the first two sets before forcing a fifth set with wins in the next two before falling to the Panthers. It capped of a day in which the Blue and White played well throughout the day despite a loss to Wilkes to open the festivities.
The Basics
Scores: Match 1 – Wilson 0, Wilkes 3 (25-19, 25-22, 25-19)
Match 2 – Wilson 2, Pitt-Bradford 3 (25-21, 25-23, 18-25, 16-25, 15-11)
Venue: Gannett Field House
Records: Wilson 0-16, Wilkes 7-8, Pitt-Bradford 3-12
How It Happened (Match 1 vs. Wilkes)
- A strong start built enthusiasm as Wilson opened up a 6-3 lead with a 5-0 run thanks to a pair of kills from Deah Menedis (Jr., Reisterstown, Md. / Franklin) to start the day. The Colonels were able to flip the script shortly after as a 6-0 rally gave the visitors the lead at 11-8. The Phoenix were able to score the next two to get back within one, but it was the closest they would get as Wilkes opened up a 1-0 lead.
- The Colonels opened up the second with a 12-7 lead before Wilson climbed back into contention with a 6-0 run. Wilson eventually built up a 19-16 lead after kills from Niki Schussler (Jr., Chambersburg, Pa. / Cumberland Valley Christian) and Abby Moreland (Fy., Sabillasville, Pa. / Catoctin) before Wilkes tied it with the next three points. The Phoenix looked to even the match after a Moreland attack put them up 22-20, however the Colonels were able to score the next five points to close the game.
- Undeterred, Wilson remained confident and opened up a 9-3 lead in the third. Moreland sparked a 7-0 lead for the advantage with a kill followed by a pair of aces. Wilkes was able to respond and went on a 9-1 run later to jump back ahead. While a Menedis kill tied it at 13-all, Wilkes went ahead for good with the next four points and held on for the sweep.
How It Happened (Match 2 vs. Pitt-Bradford)
- The opening set was a sign of how the match would be as teams went back and forth with eight ties and two lead changes. A block by Allyson Garcelon (So., Shrewsbury, Pa. / Susquehannock) and Menedis knotted things up at 13-all before the Panthers countered with three consecutive kills. Wilson was able to duplicate that effort as a kill from Moreland, two more from Menedis, and one from Schussler put Wilson down one at 21-20, but the Phoenix couldn't get over the hump and went down 1-0.
- The Panthers rode the momentum wave into the second and started off with a 7-1 lead. The Phoenix were able to chip away until a couple kills from Moreland and one from Menedis helped make the score 15-14 in favor of Pitt-Bradford. Wilson eventually tied the set with a Garcelon Schussler block at 23-all, but couldn't get over the hump as the Panthers scored the next two for a 2-0 lead.
- The comeback started in a tilt-a-whirl third set. If anyone thought the first set was close, the third featured 12 tie scores and four lead changes. The last tie took place at 14-all after a Panthers kill, but a 6-2 run created some separation. Kills from Moreland and Maddie Watson (So., Lancaster, Pa. / Lancaster Mennonite) helped generate momentum to start the rally. The Phoenix finished the set in style and stayed alive as kills from Menedis, Schussler, and Garcelon propelled them to the fourth.
- The fourth set was Wilson's best of the season as it opened up an 8-1 lead forcing the Panthers to use an early timeout. Schussler fueled the open with four kills and added a fifth to make it 11-4 shortly after. Pitt-Bradford clawed back into it on a 5-0 spurt, but the Phoenix were able to keep them at arm's length. Alexis Buckley (Jr., Millsboro, Del. / Indian River) was able to close out the set with an ace to send it to a deciding fifth.
- The Phoenix remained hot to start the fifth and enjoyed a 4-1 lead after a Schussler kill. However Pitt-Bradford was able to pull even at 6-all, eventually taking the lead for good with a 4-0 run to put the score at 13-9. Teams exchanged the next four points as the Panthers closed the match with a final kill.
Inside The Numbers
- Moreland had a day that she won't soon forget as she led both matches in kills. Twelve of them came in the opener and she followed up with 20 on 58 swings and a hitting percentage of .259 in the nightcap.
- Schussler and Menedis also had season-bests against the Panthers as both finished with 16 kills. Schussler led the team with a hitting percentage of .263 on 38 attempts.
- Michaela Windisch (Fy., Westminster, Md. / Catoctin) had her best match of the year against the Panthers as she finished with 53 assists.
- Defensively Addie Hebert (Fy., Gettysburg, Pa. / Gettysburg) was busy on the back lines all day with a combined 47 digs. She passed the 200-mark on the second with 34 against the Panthers.
- Moreland recorded double-doubles in both contests with 11 digs in the opener and a season-best 16 more in the second match. It was her second and third double-doubles of the year.
- Garcelon was busy on the front lines as she led the team with five blocks between both matches.
- Buckley also reached double figures in digs in the second match with 12.
Up Next
Wilson has Sunday off before heading on the road for its final non-conference match of the season against Penn State-Abington. First serve with the Nittany Lions is set for 7 p.m.
