RUTHERFORD, N.J. – After notching two conference wins over the weekend, the West Chester University volleyball team took a step outside of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) play on Tuesday and defeated Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) representative Felician University 3-0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-18) inside the Job Gymnasium.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Golden Rams (13-0) raced out to a 6-1 advantage to start the match before expanding their cushion to 15-3 in the opening frame. The Golden Falcons were unable to get any closer than 10 points for the duration of the set and the visitors were able to handily take the opener 25-13.
- WCU recorded one of its highest hitting percentages of the season (.455) in the second frame, which led to the Golden Rams holding a nine-point lead (22-13) in the waning moments of the second stanza. Holding the nine-point cushion, WCU used a kill by freshman Sarah Polacek (JOHNSTOWN, PA/WESTMONT HILLTOP) and a service ace from sophomore Olivia Rudjord (FOGELSVILLE, PA./ALLENTOWN CENTRAL CATHOLIC) to close out the frame on top, 25-13.
- The third set proved to be the closest of the bunch, but the Golden Rams were still able to build a comfortable eight-point lead late. Up five, WCU would seal the match with a dual block by freshman Grace Whitney (GLENSIDE, PA/ABINGTON) and junior Rachel Robb (BLACKWOOD, N.J./ PAUL VI) to give the Golden Rams their eighth sweep of the season.
BY THE NUMBERS
- WCU's .348 hitting percentage versus Felician is the second highest for the squad in 2018.
- Sophomore Brianna Fisher (WALLINGFORD, PA./STRATH HAVEN) and freshman Julia Vreeswyk (YARDLEY, PA/PENNSBURY) both logged nine kills against the Golden Falcons, with Fisher's nine tallies standing as a career high for the Wallingford native.
- Senior Jillian Grammer (CENTER VALLEY, PA./SOUTHERN LEHIGH) paced the Golden Rams' offense with 30 assists to go along with a team-high 14 digs. Tuesday's performance marked the fourth-straight match that Grammer had logged a double-double and her 14 digs against Felician are tied for the most by the designated setter this year.
- Defensive specialist Nicki Yates (COOPERSBURG, PA./SOUTHERN LEHIGH) ended the match with 12 digs to give the graduate student at least 10 scoops in every match this season.
- Tuesday's sweep was the eighth 3-0 victory for the Golden Rams through their first 13 games of the year.
- West Chester's 13-0 start to this season marks the best for the squad since the Golden Rams began the 2007 campaign by winning its first 15 games in a row.
UP NEXT
- The Golden Rams will head to Erie this weekend for two matches against PSAC Northwest Division opponents. West Chester first heads to the Mercyhurst Athletic Center to battle the Lakers on Friday at 7:00 p.m. before traveling to square off against Gannon inside the Hammermill Center on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
