WHEELING, W.Va. - The magic of Millersville's 2019 season finally ran out Friday night in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Wheeling University, host and winner of seven of the last eight Atlantic Regionals, looked the part of the nation's No. 15-ranked team in eliminating the Marauders, 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-16).
Wheeling won its 29th match in a row and 30th-straight at home while Millersville's season concluded with a 26-9 record. Millersville ventured to levels of postseason play not reached at the Ville in 24 years while Wheeling, making its 12th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, advances to the regional final for the seventh time in eight years. The win was also Wheeling's 13th in a row in straight sets.
Wheeling's lineup featured the 2019 Mountain East Player of the Year and national leader in assists Stephanie Sylvester as well as the 2018 Atlantic Region Player of the Year Haley Kramer. Sylvester totaled 42 assists while the Cardinals limited Millersville's PSAC Athlete of the Year Jayci Suseland to eight kills.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
• The opening set featured nine ties and five lead changes with the Marauders going to Haley Butler early and often. Butler tallied six kills without an error in the set, and the Marauders used back-to-back kills from Lindsey Blevins to take a 19-18 lead late. Wheeling countered with three consecutive points, but Chyna Gubbings and Suseland terminated on back-to-back rallies to tie the set at 21. The Marauders were within one as late as 23-22, but a quick tap over the net by Stephanie Sylvester and a Marauder hit that went wide closed it for Wheeling.
• Wheeling deployed a nearly automatic attack in the second, tallying 12 kills before committing a block, which came on a Gubbings block that made the score 16-11. As close as Millersville got was 16-12 on an ace from Gubbings, but that was followed by two Millersville errors and Wheeling pulled away. The Cardinals posted 17 kills and a .382 hitting percentage in the set.
• Millersville started the third quickly. Kills from Butler, Suseland, Gubbings and two from Carley Baughman put the Marauders on top 7-4 early. Wheeling, however, used its size at the net and recorded four consecutive blocks as part of a 6-0 run. The Marauders kept it close until four attack errors and three Wheeling kills turned a one-point set into a 21-13 lead.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Butler led the Marauders for the second-straight match, totaling 11 kills to two errors with a .429 hitting percentage. Katie Laughman totaled 32 assists.
• Wheeling hit .282 or better in each set while Millersville hit under .100 in two of three sets. Cassie Meyer led three Cardinals in double figures with 13 kills.
POST-MATCH REACTION (Full Press Conference Video)
• Coach Brian Smith's thoughts on the match: "We played a good team. The pretty much dominated statistically in every way. I was pleased with the performance of the team. They fought hard. We faced a team that was ranked and they showed us why they are there...We talked to the team about wanting to play fearless and staying united as a team--fight each rally to the last point. I think we accomplished that this weekend."
• Butler on her first set performance: "Being here and knowing this could be the last game, I wanted to leave everything on the court. I think we all felt that way. We had nothing to lose...I always have fun. Volleyball's a fun sport.
• Butler on the team's season: "Every year we got better and better. It's is awesome that we made it this far. I am really proud of our team."
• Coach Smith on the team's development over four years: "Four years ago we got a core group of girls. Haley was clearly one of them. At that particular point the team got much more athletic. We brought in strong athletes and they had the ability early on to get on the court and compete. Some of our girls have been four-year starters. They started setting the trend with regards to work ethic in practice. They set the standards for the team, providing some leadership. Every single year, the more touches, the more competition and more lessons they learned, they got better and better and better. They have set the tone for the girls coming back next year. It's a special group of girls from the past four years and they will be sorely missed."
• Butler on her memories from this season: "Just going to miss this team. I love this team. I loved playing with them."
• Smith's thoughts on the impact of the team: "They are sisters. I almost feel like a dad. It's tough on me too. Anytime you lose those relationships that you fostered. You've seen girls grow over four years. It's an amazing process to see. Being older and wise, knowing those relationships last a lifetime--that camaraderie of being a Marauder and being a part of the program is something that will never go away for them. They set the standard. They have their record for the most wins...They are a special group. They will be able to come back with their kids and their families and see that banner and those memories will come back the friendships will last."
NOTES
• Millersville finished the season with a school record 26 wins--two more than the previous record, which was set in 1995. The team also won its second NCAA Tournament match.
• Wheeling's only three losses of the season came in September to the nation's No. 4, No. 6 and No.7-ranked teams.
• Suseland closed her Millersville career with 1,474 kills--the most ever by a Marauder. She also set the single-season school record with 463.
• Laughman set the Millersville season-season record for assists with 1,289. She finished her career ranked third all-time with 3,290.
• Forry totaled 567 digs this season, a total ranking eighth all-time. She also moved up to fourth on the all-time digs list with 1,560.
• Blevins finished the season with the fifth most at Millersville with 395. She enters her senior season with 1,062 and in eighth place.
• Carley Baughman totaled 81 block assists in her freshman season, a total that ranks fifth at Millersville.
