MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - The Marauders hoped to avenge an early season loss to West Chester Wednesday night in Pucillo Gymnasium. They did just that, sweeping the Golden Rams in three straight sets for their second conference victory of 2023. 
 
After trading points early on, West Chester held a lead of three or four throughout the middle of the first set. Millersville battled back until a commanding swat from Emma Ludwig knotted the game at 20. Then the Marauders, in a preview of what was to come, displayed maturity beyond their years and outlasted the Golden Rams' mistakes to take the first set 25-22. 
 
The Marauders started the next set off with a beautiful kill from Emma Kerwin. They held the momentum until a 7-2 advantage caused a golden Rams timeout. The barrage continued until the Marauders led 11-2 on the strength of three Caroline Halsey kills and a pair each for Kerwin and Taylor Welter. 
 
The set was not over, however, and the Golden Rams came back to tie it at 18 after Brian Smith called timeout. That previously mentioned maturity was on display yet again to close the set, as the hosts shut the door on West Chester to claim the 25-23 win. 
 
The Marauders were in the driver's seat entering the third set and looking for the sweep. The game started as a back-and-forth affair, as the visitors had not given up yet. They got caught in a bad rotation leading to a mid-set Golden Rams run to take the lead at 16-14. Welter subbed in and they bounced right back to tie the match at 18 apiece. Alex Nava, a late sub in set two, made her mark at the end of this game. She gave Millersville the lead up 25-24 and 26-25 with a pair of kills. The second putaway was followed by a crisp Halsey kill down the heart of the court to give the Marauders the sweep. 
 
Millersville hopes to make it two in a row when it hosts New Haven on Friday, October 20 at 7 p.m. 

COACH BRIAN SMITH'S THOUGHTS

• After the win: "It was a great conference win tonight. I wasn't surprised we won, as the team continues to improve and we weren't at full strength when we played at West Chester. We needed a good win to start the second half of conference play and we got that."
• On his team's execution: "We did a great job tonight with our pass/serve. There was a small slump in set two but we worked through it to end that set. When we struggled, every one of our substitutes stepped in, stepped up and played extremely well. We needed our bench and they delivered. I'd also like to mention the positive energy all night by the entire team."

• The win evens the season series at one apiece after the Golden Rams claimed the first match in West Chester. All-time, tonight's visitors still hold a significant edge as the Marauders sport an 11-26 record in the matchup. 
• The Marauders claim their second PSAC East win of the season, moving their record to 2-6. The Golden Rams also have a 2-6 conference record so the teams are now tied for sixth place.

• Taylor Welter came off of the bench and led the Marauders in kills with 12 on a .429 hitting percentage. Welter, Kerwin and Halsey tied for the team lead in total points with 12.5 apiece. 
• Caroline Halsey had one of her best games of the season, recording a team-high 1.5 total blocks and eight kills for Millersville.