(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – Tonight, tonight wasn't just any night as Wilson defeated Penn State Brandywine in a five-set West Side Story marathon. In an interesting turn of events, the team on the west end of the court won every set which resulted in everyone in Wilson blue giving big cheers at the end of the night.
In doing so, the Phoenix jetted back into postseason contention while ending the Nittany Lions' three-match win streak in the process.
The Basics
Scores: Wilson 3, Penn State Brandywine 2 (25-23, 23-25, 25-7, 22-25, 16-14)
Venue: Gannett Field House
Records: Wilson 3-16, 2-3 UE; Penn State Brandywine 5-14, 2-3 UE
How It Happened
- The first set was a good indication that something was coming, but one knew what it was. Once the dust settled there were 13 ties and 10 lead changes. Down 20-17, the Phoenix sparked a fiery comeback that was fueled by three consecutive Abby Moreland (So., Sabillasville, Md. / Catoctin) kills sandwiched between one from Deah Menedis (Sr., Reisterstown, Md. / Franklin) along with an ace from the program's all-time kills leader. The Nittany Lions retaliated with the next two points, but a pair of service errors and an Addie Hebert (So., Gettysburg, Pa. / Gettysburg) ace helped Wilson take the first set.
- A 5-0 run gave Wilson a momentum shift to the front as Allyson Garcelon (Jr., Shrewsbury, Pa. / Susquehannock) used three-straight kills to tie the set – once of 11 in the frame – before an Alexis Buckley (Sr., Millsboro, Del. / Indian River) ace and a Menedis kill made the score 14-12. Brandywine bounced back and eventually went up 22-20 before Menedis scored two attacks and Angela Uhlhorn (FY, Kingsville, Md. / Catholic) got in on the action to help regain the lead. Turnabout was fair play, however, as the visitors scored the next three to pull even in the match.
- Back on the west side, Wilson jetted all the way to a win in the third in spectacular fashion as the Phoenix nearly won every point. Wilson was feeling pretty good after it strung together 15 consecutive points to take a commanding 20-4 lead. The Phoenix closed out the frame with kills from Moreland and Niki Schussler (Sr., Chambersburg, Pa. / Cumberland Valley Christian) to go up 2-1.
- Wilson was hoping to close out the night in the fourth after another Menedis kill put the hosts up 20-16. Brandywine had other plans as it reeled off the next five points to take the lead. The Phoenix countered with the next two points, but the Nittany Lions forced a fifth by scoring the next four points.
- In the fifth Brandywine stayed on the west side and took a 7-4 lead to start. Kills from Alison Daniels (FY, Lititz, Pa. / Warwick) and Moreland along with a Menedis ace helped Wilson snap back, but Brandywine scored the next point to force teams to exchange sides. Wilson stayed in contention and eventually used kills from Garcelon and a Brandywine error to take a 14-13 lead. While the visitors answered with a kill, the Phoenix closed the curtain with a pair of Moreland kills.
Inside The Numbers
- The back-and-forth blockbuster featured 41 ties and 22 lead changes across five sets. In addition to the first set, 11 ties were in the second and eight were in the fifth.
- Wilson received its best offensive performance of the season with three hitters in double figures. Menedis led the way with 19 kills recorded a double double with 16 digs. Moreland joined her with 14 kills and 13 digs. Garcelon reached a double double in a different way with 17 kills and 19 assists.
- Garcelon was incredibly operative as she had an attack percentage of .577, a new career-high bypassing her previous mark of .545 set last season against Notre Dame.
- Buckley also reached double figures on the back line with 12 digs.
- In addition to Garcelon, Michaela Windisch (So., Westminster, Md. / Catoctin) provided a strong set with 28 helpers on the night.
- As a team Wilson totaled 27 more kills than Brandywine.
Up Next
The Phoenix will hope for an encore and move their win streak to three as they head to Allentown to take on Cedar Crest on Saturday. First serve with the Falcons is set for 1 p.m.
