(WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.) – Abby Moreland (Jr., Sabillasville, Md. / Catoctin), Allyson Garcelon (Sr., Shrewsbury, Pa. / Susquehannock), and
Ashlynn Babbitt (FY, Edenton, N.C. / John A. Holmes) all hit in double-figures as Wilson recorded its elusive first win of the season Saturday at Penn. Moreland and Garcelon both added double-doubles in digs while Babbitt was one away as the Phoenix opened up with wins in the first two sets before finishing the match off in four.
The Basics
Scores: Wilson 3, Penn 1 (25-23, 25-14, 17-25, 25-18)
Venue: Bardo Gymnasium
Records: Wilson 1-20, 1-7 UE; Penn 5-20, 2-6 UE
How It Happened
- The opening set was back-and-forth for the duration. It appeared as though the Phoenix might pull away as kills from the aforementioned trio gave the visitors a 21-17 lead before the Wildcats vaulted ahead with six-straight points. Wilson was able compose itself and Garcelon got the team back on track with back-to-back kills to tie the frame. Alison Daniels (So., Lititz, Pa. / Warwick) then put the Phoenix up with a kill before she paired with Moreland on a block to take the set.
- Momentum fed into the second set as a Garcelon kill and a Babbitt ace helped Wilson take a 4-0 lead. After Penn took five of the next eight, Wilson went on a 9-0 run to take a commanding lead. Babbitt and Daniels joined for a block to make it 10-5 during the stretch, and Babbitt went on to have two kills to help increase the lead as the Phoenix raced to a 2-0 set lead.
- A slow start saw Penn jump out to a 10-1 lead to start the third. The Phoenix were unable recover in the set, but bounced back with an impressive fourth. Babbitt sparked a 6-0 run with consecutive kills which was followed up by one from Daniels to tie the set at 12-all. Daniels followed up with a pair of aces to help make it 15-12. After the Wildcats scored the next two, Babbitt droved down two more kills in a 5-0 run to make it 20-14. Moreland added two of her own down the stretch, including the final point of the day to secure the win.
Inside The Numbers
- Moreland paced the attack with 13 kills, the ninth time she's hit in double-figures this season. It's the eighth time she's had a double-double as her 16 digs were second on the team.
- Garcelon and Babbitt each had 10 to give the Phoenix some depth up front on the attacking side. For Garcelon, it was the third time she's recorded at least 10 this season, all of which have come in the last six games. She now has over 100 on the season.
- Babbitt's transition into an attacking role went well as she scored 10 kills and added nine digs, both season highs.
- Addie Hebert (Jr., Gettysburg, Pa. / Gettysburg) once again led the back row as she picked up 19 digs. It's the 11th time she's recorded at least 10, and the fifth time she's had at least 19.
- Michaela Windisch (Jr., Westminster, Md. / Catoctin) was incredibly effective as she set up the offense with 33 assists. Defensively she provided a boost as well with 13 digs.
- Daniels and Alexis Landis (FY, Parkesburg, Pa. / Octorara) gave Wilson a strong presence up front with three blocks each. Landis rejected two Wildcat attacks on solo efforts.
Up Next
The Phoenix will look to make it two-straight as they host Valley Forge in the home finale on Tuesday. First serve with the Patriots is set for 7 p.m.
