(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – It was less Sharks vs. Jets and more Phoenix vs. Lions, but Wednesday's United East volleyball battle had plenty of build up and drama on the court. That's because Wilson and Penn State Brandywine squared off in five-act classic in which the team that started on the west side of the court won every set. Unfortunately for Wilson, it was the Nittany Lions who took home the victory.
The Basics
Scores: Wilson 2, Penn State Brandywine 3 (18-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-21, 15-9)
Venue: Gannett Memorial Field House
Records: Wilson 0-17, 0-4 UE; Penn State Brandywine 9-7, 3-1 UE
How It Happened
- Wilson started the night firing on all cylinders and featured a balanced attack at the start as kills from Alexis Landis (FY, Parkesburg, Pa. / Octorara), Allyson Garcelon (Sr., Shrewsbury, Pa. / Susquehannock), and Abby Moreland (Jr., Sabillasville, Md. / Catoctin) along with an ace from Masalyna Miller (FY, Greencastle, Pa. / Greencastle-Antrim) helped put the hosts in front. Moreland later served up three aces in a 6-0 run to give Wilson a 12-5 advantage. The Phoenix didn't allow Brandywine to get close the rest of the frame and closed it with back-to-back kills from Miller.
- Brandywine did well to flip the script as the Nittany Lions jumped out to an early lead and extended it midway through the set as a 5-0 run made the score 12-6. A pair of Daniels aces in a 5-0 run brought the Phoenix back within one, but they were unable to tie it as Brandywine tied the match with the set win.
- More evidence for the teams being evenly matched presented itself in the third as they were tied 10 times and as late as 20-all after a Garcelon kill. Alison Daniels (So., Lititz, Pa. / Warwick) put Wilson in front for good with an ace which was followed by a kill from Landis. After Brandywine scored the next point, the Phoenix took the next three points on a Lions error, a Garcelon kill, and a Windisch ace to go up 2-1.
- Miller opened the fourth on fire as she served up four-straight aces as Wilson built a 5-0 lead that included a Moreland kill. Brandywine roared back to take an 8-7 lead before the Phoenix reclaimed it with a Lions error, Miller kill, and Daniels ace. However Brandywine was able to control the tempo the rest of the way. Wilson was within four late after another Miller kill made it 23-19 and an Addie Hebert (Jr., Gettysburg, Pa. / Gettysburg) ace made it 24-21, but a Lions kill sent it to the fifth.
- The west side of the court continued to benefit those who occupied it at the start as Brandywine opened up an 8-3 lead to force the switch. That lead grew to 11-3 before three errors and Miller kill put the Phoenix within three. Brandywine ended the comeback hopes there by taking the next three points and four of the next five.
Inside The Numbers
- Moreland, Miller and Garcelon all had spectacular evenings as each recorded a double-double. For Moreland, she tallied 20 kills and 10 digs to go with five aces. Miller put down 14 with 10 digs. Garcelon added 10 kills and 10 digs.
- Hebert led all players defensively with 25 digs, the second-most in a single match for her this season.
- Wilson recorded at least 50 kills in back-to-back matches. Saturday's five-set thriller against Penn State Berks saw the Phoenix score 57.
- The Phoenix set a new mark this season for most aces with 16. The last time they had that many was last season against Valley Forge on October 25.
- Nia Moore led the Nittany Lions with 16 kills. She was highly effective as she hit for .519 on the night as well.
Up Next
The Phoenix are off until Tuesday when they take their longest road trip of the season to battle St. Mary's. First serve with the Seahawks is set for 5:30 p.m.
