ERIE, Pa. – After starting the 2018 campaign at 14-0, the West Chester University volleyball team suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday as the squad dropped a 3-1 (24-26, 25-23, 19-15, 20-25) decision at Gannon University inside the Hammermill Center.
MATCH MILESTONE
Although the Golden Rams (14-1, 3-1 PSAC) lost their contest against the Golden Knights (14-1, 3-1 PSAC), there was a bright spot for WCU during Saturday's match, with senior setter
Jillian Grammer (CENTER VALLEY, PA. SOUTHERN LEHIGH) eclipsing the 4,000-career assists plateau after handing out 35 helpers against Gannon. Coming out of Center Valley, Grammer is just the second Golden Ram to ever record 4,000+ assists in a career (4,022), joining current West Chester record holder Lisa Yeasted (2005-08) who reigns atop the Golden Rams' record book with 4,571 total helpers in her four seasons.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The opening frame was tied 11-11, before a kill from freshman Julia Vreeswyk (YARDLEY, PA PENNSBURY) sparked a 7-0 spurt to put the visitors in front 18-11 in the first set. Gannon answered back with its own 7-0 run to grab the slim 22-21 advantage later in the match, but WCU swung right back and got to set point (24-22) after scoring three-answered. Staring defeat in its eyes, the Golden Knights responded by scoring the final four points of the frame to secure the 26-24 victory in the opener.
- The visitors trailed for a majority of the second set, until a huge 8-1 run down the stretch would put the Golden Rams in front, 22-18. GU quickly answered back with a 5-0 spurt to take the 23-22 advantage, but West Chester used a kill from junior Rachel Robb (BLACKWOOD, N.J./PAUL VI) and two from sophomore Brianna Fisher (WALLINGFORD, PA./STRATH HAVEN) to grab the second set 25-23 and tie the match.
- The third set proved as close as the first two and the Golden Rams found themselves down 21-19 in the waning moments. Similar to set one, Gannon ended the third stanza by scoring the final four points to take the set 25-19 and the 2-1 lead in the match.
- The home team raced out to a 6-0 advantage in the fourth set and despite WCU's best efforts, the visitors would never hold the lead in the frame, and Gannon was able to secure the 25-20 match-sealing victory on its home court.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Graduate student Nicki Yates (COOPERSBURG, PA./SOUTHERN LEHIGH) scooped a match-high 36 digs on Saturday, a total that is the most for the DS this season and the highest total since she notched 36 against East Stroudsburg in November 2017.
- Both coming off a career nights against Mercyhurst University yesterday, Robb paced the West Chester offense with 13 kills against Gannon, while Vreesywk added 12 kills in the loss.
- At the net, freshman Grace Whitney (GLENSIDE, PA/ABINGTON) collected a season-high seven blocks against the Golden Knights to bring the freshman's total to 50 on the year – a number that stands as the fifth best in the PSAC through 15 matches.
- West Chester's 91 digs on Saturday were the most by the team this season and the Golden Rams tied their season high with 10 total blocks on the afternoon.
- WCU's .091 hitting percentage versus Gannon was the lowest of the year and its 30 total errors matched a season low for the Purple and Gold.
- Gannon's victory was the 17th straight for the Golden Knights over West Chester.
- The Golden Rams' 14-1 start the season is their best in over a decade.
UP NEXT
- West Chester returns to the Hollinger Field House on Friday, September 28, to square off against PSAC foe Bloomsburg University in a match scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m.
