(ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa.) – In a battle between two central Pennsylvania institutions, Wilson fell to Elizabethtown in women's volleyball action on Thursday evening. Although the Blue Jays took all three sets, the Phoenix were in contention in all three with the hosts creating separation late in each set.
The Basics
Scores: Wilson 0, Elizabethtown 3 (25-19, 25-21, 25-20)
Venue: Thompson Gymnasium
Records: Wilson 0-10, Elizabethtown 8-4
How It Happened
- Both teams went back-and-forth to start the contest with seven ties and three lead exchanges in the first 18 points. A kill by Niki Schussler (Sr., Chambersburg, Pa. / Cumberland Valley Christian) and a Blue Jays error helped the Phoenix tie the game at 9-all. While Etown scored four of the next five, Wilson was able to tie the set again as Garcelon scored an ace and a kill to make it 13-13. The Blue Jays proceeded to go on a 4-0 run from there and the Phoenix could only cut the deficit down to two on a couple of occasions from there the rest of the way.
- Wilson had an excellent start to the second as it jumped out to a 5-2 lead with kills from Abby Moreland (So., Sabillasville, Md. / Catoctin) and Garcelon boosting the team. After Etown scored a pair, the Phoenix added four-straight thanks to Blue Jay miscues and an ace from Garcelon. Additional kills from Schussler, Alison Daniels (FY, Lititz, Pa. / Warwick), and Deah Menedis (Sr., Reisterstown, Md. / Franklin) helped push the lead to 16-8, the largest of the night for the Phoenix. Momentum was short-lived as Etown went on a 6-0 run before eventually tying to set at 19-all. The Blue Jays prevented the Phoenix from scoring consecutive points down the stretch and took the 2-0 lead.
- The Phoenix had another fiery start in the third with an early 4-2 lead led by a Menedis kill. A pair of Blue Jays errors gave Wilson the lead once again shortly after, but the hosts eventually found their groove to take a 19-11 lead. Wilson didn't give up though, and climbed back into contention. Menedis started a push with a pair of kills and Garcelon added another to help cut the deficit down to 20-17. Kills from Moreland, Amelia Edens (Sr., Pasadena, Md. / Glen Burnie), and Schussler later made it 23-20 before the Blue Jays ended the contest with the next two points.
Inside The Numbers
- Moreland had her best night of the season with a match-best nine kills on 29 attempts for an attack percentage of .207. She nearly had a double-double as she led the team with 12 digs.
- Garcelon was right behind her offensively with eight kills.
- Defensively Menedis and Addie Hebert (So., Gettysburg, Pa. / Gettysburg) joined Moreland in double figures with 10 digs.
Up Next
Wilson is back in action this weekend as it hosts Randolph on Saturday. First serve with the WildCats is set for 1 p.m.
