(MEDIA, Pa.) – Abby Moreland (Sr., Sabillasville, Md. / Catoctin) scored a season-best 21 kills to help Wilson come from behind to defeat Penn State Brandywine in a five-set thriller on Thursday evening. The Phoenix had dropped the opening set to the Lions, but bounced back to score the next two before Brandywine won the fourth to go five.

The Basics

Scores: Wilson 3, Penn State Brandywine 2 (21-25, 25-14, 25-21, 20-25, 15-12)

Venue: Brandywine Commons Gym

Records: Wilson 3-18, 1-6 UE; Penn State Brandywine 10-9, 4-3 UE

How It Happened

• It was clear from the start that the Phoenix and Lions would have yet another back-and-forth battle that they have been accustomed to the last few years. Just as it appeared Brandywine created some distanced with a 13-9 lead, Wilson roared back with the next five points with kills from Ashlynn Babbitt (So., Edenton, N.C. / John A. Holmes) and Hannah Pollard (FY, Wilmington, N.C. / Wilmington Christian as well as a pair of Michaela Windisch (Sr., Westminster, Md. / Catoctin) aces to go up 14-13. The Phoenix were unable to hold momentum, however, and Brandywine responded with an 8-1 run which helped propel them to a first set win.
• The Phoenix bounced back nicely and were able to take the second by pulling away from the hosts. After an even 4-4 start, Wilson took the lead for good on a 5-1 run with Moreland fueling it with three kills. Pollard helped stretch the lead more with a kill and a block to make it 16-9. Sydney Tracey (So., York, Pa. / Dallastown / Penn State Mont Alto) helped keep things going with a kill and a solo block to make it 23-12 before Riley Cramer (FY, Chambersburg, Pa. / Chambersburg) and Jayda Lichty (FY, Hanover, Pa. / Southwestern) scored kills to tie the match at one set each.
• Brandywine opened the third with a 5-1 lead before Wilson answered with a 6-0 run with four kills split evenly between Babbitt and Moreland. The Lions remained close throughout the frame and were tied as late as 21-all, but Wilson was able to close it out with a Moreland kill, a Moreland Cramer block, a Babbitt ace, and a Cramer kill.
• The Lions were able to respond in a similar manner by scoring the final four points of the fourth. In the decisive fifth, the Phoenix faced a tough task of coming from behind once again. Down 12-10, a Brandywine service error kept hope alive before Pollard fanned the flames with a kill to tie it. Pollard took matters into her own hands even more and rejected a Lions attack by herself to put Wilson up 13-12. After Brandywine was charged with a ball handling error, Pollard ended the night with a kill.

Inside The Numbers

• Moreland finished the night with a season-best 21 kills on 46 attempts while hitting .261. She picked up the double-double with 15 digs as well.
• Cramer joined her in double-figures on the attacking end with 10 kills and hitting .381 in the process.
• Pollard was one kill shy of double-figures while hitting .400. She added three blocks to register 11.5 points on the night.
• Assists were split between Windisch and Tracey who had 23 and 20, respectively.
• Addie Hebert (Sr., Gettysburg, Pa. / Gettysburg) picked up 21 digs to lead all players on the receiving end.
• Hailey Piccirillo paced the Lions with 12 kills and added 13 digs.
• Wilson and Penn State Brandywine have now gone to five sets for the past three meetings.

Up Next
Wilson will be back at home on Saturday to host Penn State Harrisburg, First serve with the Lions is set for 1 p.m.