WAYNE, N.J. – The Swarthmore College volleyball team split a tri-match at William Paterson University on Saturday. The Garnet opened the day with a 3-0 sweep of Stevenson University before dropping a 3-1 decision to the host Pioneers.
Isabel Adam posted a team-high 25 kills (3.57 per set) over the two matches.
Ella Tsai (15),
Keira Miles (14), and
Alexia Enache (13) also hit double digits with Enache compiling a .375 hitting percentage.
Maya Sheridan and
Lois Matsukawa tallied 39 and 36 assists respectively while
Melissa Eyer totaled 33 digs.
SWARTHMORE 3, STEVENSON 0
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Swarthmore got out to a fast start, taking an early 8-1 lead. Tsai notched three kills, Miles added two, and
Kate Roberts registered a pair of aces. The Garnet maintained control throughout the set and went on to win 25-18.
- The teams were even at 13 in the second set when Swarthmore went in front with an 8-2 run. Miles, Adam, Enache, and
Maggie Rankin all produced a kill with Adam and Matsukawa each dropping in an ace. The Garnet went on to another 25-18 victory, hitting .429 during the set.
- The Mustangs had an early 4-3 lead in the third when Swarthmore strung together four points to go ahead 7-4. Stevenson was within one (13-12) before the Garnet created separation with a 9-3 rally to lead 22-15. Adam had four kills to lead the stretch. Swarthmore went on to take the match with a 25-20 triumph.
GARNET LEADERS
Kills: Adam 14
Assists: Matsukawa 21
Aces:
Nicole Kim 3
Blocks: Rankin 3
Digs: Eyer 12
WILLIAM PATERSON 3, SWARTHMORE 1
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Garnet jumped out to a 5-0 lead but the Pioneers rallied for 11 of the next 15 to go in front 11-9. WP had a 13-12 edge before Swarthmore took over with a 12-4 run to bring up set point at 24-17. However, the Pioneers produced a stunning 7-0 surge to bring the score level. The Garnet recovered as Tsai and
Aiste Bardauskaite notched back-to-back kills to give Swarthmore the 26-24 decision.
- WP scored the first four points of the second but the Garnet answered with seven of the next 10 to tie it up at 7-7. At 8-8, the Pioneers tallied seven of eight to go in front 15-9. The score was 17-11 before Swarthmore got back in it with an 8-2 run to bring it to 19-all. The Garnet later fended off two set points on kills by Tsai and Adam to even things at 24 but WP followed with back-to-back points for a 26-24 victory.
- The teams were deadlocked at two early in the third before the Pioneers pulled away with nine unanswered points. Swarthmore was only able to get within seven points throughout the remainder of the set as WP cruised to a 25-16 win.
- It was 2-2 again in the fourth when the Pioneers recorded nine of 12 to lead 11-5. The Garnet scored five in a row to get within one but an 8-0 run by the home squad gave them a commanding 20-11 advantage. With the score 24-16, Swarthmore looked to get back in it with six consecutive points but the comeback attempt fell short as WP closed out the match 25-22.
GARNET LEADERS
Kills: Adam 11
Assists: Sheridan 19
Aces: Sheridan, Roberts 2
Blocks:
Mailey Wang, Bardauskaite 2
Digs: Eyer 21
UP NEXT
The Garnet (9-3) return to conference play on Tuesday when they host Ursinus College.
