(WINCHESTER, Va.) – A balanced Wilson attack saw five players register at least seven kills, but it wasn't enough to overcome Hood in the opening match of Shenandoah's tournament Friday evening. After dropping the opening two sets, the Phoenix made an impressive comeback attempt built upon a marathon win in the third game before the Blazers closed out the contest in the fourth.
The Basics
Scores: Wilson 1, Hood 3 (25-20, 25-18, 29-31, 25-20)
Venue: Wilkins Athletics & Events Center at Shenandoah University
Records: Wilson 0-4, Hood 2-2
How It Happened
- Abby Moreland (So., Sabillasville, Md. / Catoctin), Niki Shussler (Sr., Chambersburg, Pa. / Cumberland Valley Christian), and Deah Menedis (Sr., Reisterstown, Md. / Franklin) all had kills out of the gate to help give the Blue and White a 3-1 advantage, but the Blazers were able to counter with a 6-0 shortly after to give them a 9-4 lead and forced the Phoenix to play catch-up. That lead extended to double digits before a 5-0 push by Wilson cut the deficit to 21-17. That was the closest the Phoenix could get in the rest of the way as Hood took a 1-0 lead.
- The second saw Hood get at to a fast start with an 11-3 lead, but once again Wilson made a late run to get close. Schussler, Allyson Garcelon (Jr., Shrewsbury, Pa. / Susquehannock), and Moreland all had kills to go with a Michaela Windisch (So., Westminster, Md. / Catoctin) ace to get the Phoenix within four at 19-15. A pair of additional Garcelon kills kept them in contention before Hood took a 2-0 lead with the final three points.
- The third set played similar to the second, but this time Wilson was able to reverse the narrative and overcome the deficit where they trailed by as many as eight. With Hood playing for the potential match point at 24-20, the Phoenix reeled off five consecutive points capped by a kill from Schussler to grab the lead. After exchanging the next 10 points, Amelia Edens (Sr., Pasadena, Md. / Glen Burnie) closed out the third with a kill on an set from Garcelon.
- With renewed energy Wilson found itself even with Hood through the first 18 points thanks to a 4-0 run sparked by a Moreland kill. Menedis followed with an ace before Moreland and Edens doubled up for a block. Schussler was then able to tie the set with a kill to make it 9-all. Although Hood responded with a 5-0 run, the Phoenix were still within three as late as 21-18. While the Blazer took the next three points, Wilson used one last push to try and recreate the magic played out in the third, but the Blazers were able to close out the contest with an Ann Ofoegbu kill.
Inside The Numbers
- Wilson had its most balanced attack of the young season with Garcelon leading the way with nine kills. She was busy all over the court as she provided 10 assists. In fact she was just one kill and one dig shy of a triple double.
- Schussler and Edens were right behind her on the attack with eight kills each. Schussler was also strong on the defensive back line with six digs. Edens had her best match of the season as she hit an incredible .700, the best on the team for a single match this season. Defensively she was strong as well with three blocks.
- While Menedis was also strong offensively with seven kills, she led the back row with a career-high 17 digs. Moreland matched her offensively and added seven digs.
- Windisch finished with 19 assists and nine digs.
Up Next
Wilson is back in action on Saturday with a pair of matches. The Phoenix open the day with Mary Baldwin at 12:30 p.m. and will close the weekend with host Shenandoah at 2:30 p.m.
