WHEELING, W.Va. - The Millersville women's volleyball team dropped both of its matches today in West Liberty, W. Va. . The Marauders were on the wrong side of two 3-0 outcomes against Mountain East Athletic Conference opponents, Notre Dame and West Liberty.
Despite the two losses, 'Ville was able to keep a number of the sets relatively close, finishing within five points in three out of the team's six sets played.
Millersville falls to 7-5 on the short season and will now gear up for Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East play, which begins next week.
HOW IT HAPPENED VS. WEST LIBERTY (12-25, 20-25, 15-25)
- Millersville was able to hang around early in the first set, finding responses to all of West Liberty's runs and pulling within three when the score showed 11-14. However, the Hilltoppers gained momentum behind server Katelynn Fritz shortly after and went on an 8-0 run to pull ahead 23-11. Emma Ludwig connected with Rose Vail for a kill to end the run, but the Hilltoppers scored twice after, giving the host school a 1-0 match lead.
- The Marauders took their first lead of the match early in second-set action as West Liberty's Nina Billotto recorded an attacking error to give 'Ville a 4-3 advantage. The Hilltoppers would then score four consecutive points off Marauder attacking errors, followed by two kills to take a 9-4 advantage. Millersville was able to make up that mistake behind Emily Hoffman's impressive serve later in the match, going on a 4-0 run to lock the match at 16. The teams followed by trading points until the score read 21-20 in favor of the Hilltoppers. West Liberty ended the match on a 4-0 run to seal the set win.
- The third set was similar to the first as Millersville gave up an 8-0 run midway through after being down only two points, which gave West Liberty a commanding 18-8 lead late. The Hilltoppers were able to capitalize on the run and take the set 25-15 to complete the sweep.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Vail led the Marauders with seven kills, while Laurel Samko and Halsey Caroline recorded four.
- Ludwig recorded 16 of the team's 21 assists.
- Becca Dalstad led Millersville in digs with 18, Ludwig followed with 12.
VS. NOTRE DAME (Ohio) ( 21-25, 19-25, 23-25)
- Millersville trailed early in set one, giving up a quick 3-0 lead to Notre Dame before getting on the board. The Falcons kept that lead until midway through the set when 'Ville went on a 4-0 run behind Dalstad to take its first lead 14-13. The match would stay close until the score showed 19-19 as the Falcons outscored Millersville 6-2 to take set a 1-0 lead.
- The Marauders fell behind early again in set two, causing them to play catch-up yet again. The Falcons wouldn't allowed a comeback this time though, holding a steady lead throughout the set and taking a 2-0 advantage over Millersville.
- Third set play saw the Marauders take their most convincing lead of the afternoon, going on an 8-1 run that saw four Samko kills to leap out to a 19-13 lead. However, the Falcons would find momentum soon after and go on a run of their own, winning 12 of the next 16 points to complete the sweep.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Samko recorded 10 kills in the loss.
- Ludwig tallied 25 of the Marauders' 28 assists.
- Dalstad recorded 29 digs.
UP NEXT
- Millersville will head home to face off against PSAC East foe, West Chester on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. in Pucillo Gymnasium.
