West Chester Falls To Gannon, 3-0, In NCAA Tournament

WHEELING, W.Va. – Molly Grammer (Center Valley, Pa./Southern Lehigh) posted a team-best 10 kills, but Gannon held the Golden Rams in check with a .116 hitting percentage en route to a 3-0 victory in the second round of the NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Tournament Friday night at the Alma Grace McDonough Center.
 
West Chester (26-11) finished arguably the most successful seasons in history of the volleyball program at WCU. Gannon (24-10) advanced to the Atlantic Region finals with the win to take on either Wheeling Jesuit or Clarion.
 
"I would certainly categorize this as one of the most successful seasons in program history," WCU head coach Kassie Bellaver said. "I am very proud of the work this group put in all year long to get this far."
 
Gannon's defensive effort kept West Chester off balance all night as the Golden Knights took the playoff match by scores of 25-20, 25-19 and 25-21.
 
"We struggled putting the ball away all night," senior right-side hitter Samantha Agostini (Broomall, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) said. "(Gannon) put up a wall that made it tough for us to find the court."
 
Senior Marina Sharkey (Newtown Square, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) and Tori Cruciani (Phoenixville, Pa./Pope John Paul II) each registered nine kills in the game.
 
Jillian Grammer (Center Valley, Pa./Southern Lehigh) recorded 33 assists in the loss. Nicki Yates (Coopersburg, Pa./Southern Lehigh) had a team-best 15 digs.
 
"It's tough to win when you hit .116," Bellaver added. "Gannon blocked well and played superb defense. I commend them on their play tonight."
 
"It has been our main goal to get to this tournament each year," Agostini added. "To finally achieve that goal and even win a game? Well, we seniors couldn't have asked for anything more.
 
"I think the locker room recognizes the success of this season," Bellaver said afterwards. "We came one game shy of the regional final. This is a mature group, and they now have the experience to get back here again."