Wesleyan sweeps WestConn volleyball, 3-0
From the desk of Brian Katten - Wesleyan SID
MIDDLETOWN, CT (Sep. 30) —
Wesleyan used a balanced attack to defeat visiting Western Connecticut in three sets, improving the Cardinals overall record vs. the Colonials to 22-13 since the teams first met in 1984, Wesleyan’s first varsity season. Wesleyan has captured the last five meetings, four of those by 3-0 counts.
Wesleyan got off to a fast start in the opening set, pushing out to a 6-2 edge and widening the gap to 11 at 16-5. A 9-6 finish for the Cardinals resulted in a 25-11 win. The second set remained tight until Wesleyan erased a 12-11 deficit with four straight points for a 15-12 lead. The margin grew to 20-14 and ended in a 25-20 victory. The third set stayed close until the Cardinals broke a 17-17 deadlock with a 5-1 run and a 22-18 advantage. Three of the next six points went the Cardinals’ way for a 25-21 final-set triumph and a 3-0 match score.
Leading the Colonials on the night with 12 kills was senior Becca Stein as she took match honors. Junior setter Sammie Hathaway dished out 24 assists while sophomore Kelley Collins, who leads the Little East with 6.42 digs a set coming into the match, nearly hit her average with 19, a 6.33 per-set figure. For Wesleyan, NESCAC digs leader junior Ruby Hernandez picked up 14, just under her 5.50 average. She also contributed three aces as did junior Lesley Faulkner. Pacing the Cardinals in kills with 11 was senior Ashley Farrow while sophomores Casey Reed and Alissa Santucci had nine and seven, respectively. Senior setter Ellie Healy collected 31 assists and three blocks. Sophomore Christina You also had three blocks.
Wesleyan hosts NESCAC rivals Colby and Bates over the weekend in its next action starting Friday. Western Conn. will be at Johnson & Wales for a weekend tournament beginning on Friday.
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