(MORRISTOWN, N.J.) – Wilson just missed out on its first conference win as it fell to Saint Elizabeth in a five-set marathon on Wednesday evening. After traffic delayed the team's arrival and therefore the start of the contest, the Phoenix battled to take the second and third sets before falling in the next two with the Eagles just edging out the Blue and White 16-14 in the fifth.
Despite the result, a pair of Phoenix achieved highlights on the night.
Deah Menedis (Sr., Reisterstown, Md. / Franklin) recorded her 700th career kill while
Allyson Garcelon (Jr., Shrewsbury, Pa. / Susquehannock) achieved the rare triple double which she had been close to doing a few times earlier this season.
The Basics
Scores: Wilson 2, St. Elizabeth 3 (25-22, 24-26, 20-25, 25-7, 16-14)
Venue: St. Joseph's Hall
Records: Wilson 1-16, 0-3 UE; St. Elizabeth 7-9, 2-2 UE
How It Happened
- The opening set was a good indication of how the rest of the match would go. With teams even at 11-all, Wilson proceeded to go on an 8-2 run on the strength of a pair of kills by Menedis along with an Addie Hebert (So., Gettysburg, Pa. / Gettysburg) ace. Unfortunately, the Eagles were able to answer and went on a 7-1 run to tie the game at 20-all. Retaining momentum, St. E's scored five of the next seven to take the 1-0 lead.
- The hosts jumped out to a 9-5 lead to start the second. Kills from Alison Daniels (FY, Lititz, Pa. / Warwick) and Garcelon eventually brought Wilson back within one at 12-11 before a 6-0 run put the Phoenix in front at 17-14. After the Eagles scored three-straight to pull even at 18-all, teams went back and forth before two kills from Menedis and a Daniels ace gave Wilson the game 26-24.
- St. E's had another fast start in the third with an 8-2 jump, but the Phoenix eventually tied the set at 13-all before going up on a Garcelon block. The Eagles regained the lead before Wilson went on its longest run of the night and scored seven consecutive to go up 2-1.
- The Eagles used a dominate fourth set to force a fifth, but Wilson remained composed and jumped out to a 6-2 lead with kills from Menedis, Daniels and Garcelon. Another pair of kills from Daniels helped give Wilson an 11-8 lead before the Eagles roared back with the next four points to go back in front. A Garcelon ace allowed Wilson to serve for match point, but St. E's answered with the next three points to take the match.
Inside The Numbers
- Garcelon became just the 33rd player in Division III to record a triple double this season. She did so by recording 15 kills with a hitting percentage of .244, adding 12 assists, and picking up 12 digs. She proved to be a hazard for the Eagles up front as well with five blocks on the night.
- Menedis had quite the evening as well as she led all players with 17 kills and added 16 digs.
- Abby Moreland (So., Sabillasville, Pa. / Catoctin) was strong on the receiving end as she picked up 19 digs to lead the team. Hebert was right behind her with 18.
- Michaela Windisch (So., Westminster, Md. / Catoctin) did most of the setting with 33 assists on the evening.
- Onye Bosco led the Eagles with 11 kills. Three others had nine. One of those players was Taylor Liriano who tallied 20 digs.
Up Next
Wilson will look to bounce back as it hosts Rosemont on Saturday afternoon. Opening serve with the Ravens is set for 2.
