WEST CHESTER, Pa. – A familiar foe came out ahead on Tuesday evening, as the West Chester Golden Rams swept the Millersville Marauders in straight sets.
 
 The Marauders (12-10, 3-5 PSAC) fell to sixth place in the PSAC standings while the Golden Rams (14-6, 4-4 PSAC) remain in fifth. The match features plenty of offense, as both teams recorded double-digit kills in each set. In total, there were 26 ties and 10 lead changes, highlighted by a closely contested final set that saw 15 ties and four lead changes.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
(25-23, 25-17, 25-21)

• The first set started off with close play as there were nine ties. 'Ville's largest lead of the set came where the Marauders led 15-12. Ahead 19-17, the Golden Rams would score three straight points to take a 20-19 lead. A kill by Rose Vail gave Millersville its final lead as the Marauders went ahead 22-21. A three-point West Chester rally would give the Rams the first set. Vail paced the Marauder offense with five first set kills.
• The Rams took a 9-5 lead and kept the Marauder offense at arm's length the remained of the set. 'Ville continued to threaten but was unable to cut the deficit to less than three. Leading 20-17, the Golden Rams would close out the set by scoring the final five points.
• Trailing 11-8, the Marauders put together their best rally of the match, scoring six out of the following seven points to go ahead 13-12. The set continued to remain close, with a Vail kill forcing a tie at 20-20. West Chester again was able to rise up late in the set, scoring five of the final last six points of the set to secure the sweep.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Vail (13) led the team in kills as she reached double-figures for the third straight match and eighth time this season. Laurel Samko (6) and Kylie Airesman (5) were second and third for the Marauders.
• Rylee Thomas led the team in blocks with two as the teams tied in total blocks, 4-4.
• Emma Ludwig recorded 28 assists. She has now reached 20+ assists in 21 of the teams 22 matches this season.
• Becca Dalstad collected 16 digs, reaching double-figures for the 19^th time this season.

REACTION FROM HEAD COACH BRIAN SMITH
"The match came down to kills per set and the little things that decide close games. Early on we struggled with control, which is normally our trademark.  That is always going to be an issue with our pin hitters because every team we play is larger. Our pins had to hit to many high sets which are easier to depend on with a big presence at the net and a solid back row defense. 
 
I thought we started playing better in set three but when your opponent is up 2-0 they can be aggressive and take chances.  Our right-side attack and middle attack went pretty well we just needed to start off better and get them involved earlier.  West Chester hit very well tonight against our smaller pin blockers. We matched them in blocks so in the end it was the kills they put on the floor around our blocks or tooling us."
 
UP NEXT

• The Marauders return to Pucillo Gymnasium for a non-conference matchup against Dominican College this Saturday, Oct 15.  First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.