(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – Saturday's season opening tri-match saw the Wilson women's volleyball team get stronger as each match went on, but the Phoenix ultimately fell to Goucher and Penn State Berks.

The Basics

Scores: Match 1 – Wilson 0, Goucher 3 (25-12, 25-21, 25-19)
Match 2 – Wilson 0, Penn State Berks (25-15, 25-21, 25-21)

Venue: Gannett Memorial Field House

Records: Wilson 0-2, Goucher 3-0, Penn State Berks 1-2

How It Happened (Match 1)

• After Goucher took a quick 1-0 lead with a hasty first set, the visitors remained strong in the second and jumped out to a 13-5 lead. The Phoenix did not quick and Riley Cramer (FY, Chambersburg, Pa. / Chambrersburg) sparked an 8-2 run to get them back into contention. Ashlynn Babbitt (So., Edenton, N.C. / John A. Holmes) provided a pair of kills down the stretch and Sydney Tracey (FY, York, Pa. / Dallastown / PS Mont Alto) added a pair of aces, the last of which brought Wilson within one. They stayed as close as one down at 22-21 before the Gophers closed out the frame with a 3-0 run.
• Another quick Gophers start saw them go out to a 5-0 lead. Again, Wilson showed grit and rallied to tie the set at 10-all after a pair of Abby Moreland (Sr., Sabillasville Md. Cato) kills and couple of Babbitt aces. Unfortunately the Phoenix couldn't get over the hump.Goucher was able to slowly distance itself down the stretch for the sweep.

How It Happened (Match 2)

• Against conference foe Penn State Berks in a non-conference clash, Wilson was pretty even at the beginning. Hannah Pollard (FY, Wilmington, N.C. / Wilmington ) registered consecutive kills before an Addie Hebert (Sr., Gettysburg, Pa. / Gettysburg) served up an ace. The Lions responded with the next five points and were never threatened for the rest of the frame.
• A quick start for the Phoenix occurred in the second as they went out to a 4-1 lead. Another Pollard kill made it 12-10 in favor of the hosts. She remained strong up front and blocked a Lions attack for a 16-14 lead. Alison Daniels (Jr., Wilmgton, N.C. / Wilmington / Wilmingotn Christian) added a kill to make it 21-20 late, but the Lions reeled off five consecutive points to take a 2-0 lead.
• In the third, another Pollard block and a rare Hebert kill made it 10-all. Wilson stayed tied at 13-all before Berks went on a 6-0. The Lions scored six consecutive but eventually Wilson returned favor and pulled event at 21-all. The Lions weren't phased and eventually closed out the sweep with the final four points.

Inside The Numbers

• Pollard finished with 11 kills on the day. Babbitt, Moreland, and Sydney Tracey provided some depth.
• Defensively Hebert led the team with 25 digs over two matches.
• Pollard blocked six shots.\

Up Next
The Phoenix head south on I-81 to take on Eastern Mennonite on Tuesday evening.