(HARRISONBURG, Va.) – The Wilson women's volleyball team faced some stiff competition as it took on two teams from the ODAC in a tri at Eastern Mennonite Saturday afternoon. The Phoenix opened with Roanoke before taking on the hosting Royals and were defeated in three sets in both contests.
The Basics
Scores: Match 1 – Wilson 0, Roanoke 3 (25-8, 25-12, 25-22)
Match 2 – Wilson 0, Eastern Mennonite 3 (25-16, 25-18, 25-15)
Venue: Yoder Arena
Records: Wilson 0-9, Roanoke 9-3, Eastern Mennonite 3-5
How It Happened (Match 1 vs. Roanoke)
- Kills by Alison Daniels (FY, Lititz, Pa. / Warwick) and Deah Menedis (Sr., Reisterstown, Md. / Franklin) helped Wilson get a 3-2 advantage out of the gate. The Maroons were able to answer with a 5-0 run that turned the tide in their favor however. That fed into a 17-2 run as Roanoke took the opening frame.
- Wilson started the second strong as Abby Moreland (So., Sabillasville, Md. / Catoctin) and Allyson Garcelon (Jr., Shrewsbury, Pa. / Susquehannock) both registered kills to keep the Phoenix even through the first six points. The Maroons tallied the next three before Menedis and Moreland scored kills to help pus the score to 7-6. Roanoke once again went on a 5-0 run to take advantage, and despite Wilson's attempts to climb back in it, was able to close the second on a 9-1 run.
- The Blue and White had their best set of the day in the third and it started with a Niki Schussler (Sr., Chambersburg, Pa. / Cumberland Valley Christian) spike and an ace from Michaela Windisch (So., Westminster, Md. / Catoctin). Although Roanoke scored the next three, Wilson regained the lead on an error and a Moreland ace. Teams went back and forth until a 5-1 run fueled by a pair of Moreland kills put Wilson up 12-9. Roanoke responded with a 7-1 run to take the lead, but the Phoenix returned serve with a 4-0 rally to go back up 17-16. An Amelia Edens (Sr., Pasadena, Md. / Glen Burnie) kills and a service error helped Wilson tie the game twice at 21- and 22-all before Roanoke closed the match with the final three points.
How It Happened (Match 2 vs. EMU)
- After a strong third set against Roanoke, Wilson fed from the to open with a strong start against the Royals. Kills from Garcelon and Menedis helped give them a 7-5 lead before EMU went up via a 5-1 run. Wilson stayed within striking distance until a 6-0 run gave the Royals a 21-13 lead as the hosts took the first set.
- A Garcelon kill gave Wilson an early lead, but EMU answered with the next four points for a 6-3 advantage. Kills by Schussler and Garcelon helped the Phoenix stay close later in the set as they trailed 16-13, however it was the closest they would get the rest of the way.
- It was a tight battle early on as both teams were tied through the first 14 points. EMU put together the first 3-0 run and was able to keep the lead after that push. A Menedis kill kept Wilson within four before the Royals closed the match with a 7-1 run.
Inside The Numbers
- Menedis tallied a match-best eight kills in the opening contest against Roanoke. She led the team with 12 overall on the day.
- Windisch totaled 24 assists on the afternoon.
- Moreland led the back line with 12 digs.
Up Next
Wilson heads back on the road to take on in-state foe Elizabethtown on Thursday. First serve with the Blue Jays is set for 7 p.m.
