Ward Hands Out 21 Assists

SWARTHMORE, PA -- Host Swarthmore College topped visiting Washington College, 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-21), in Centennial Conference volleyball action on Wednesday evening at Tarble Pavilion. The Garnet improve to 12-5 overall and 2-0 in the Centennial, while the Shorewomen are 8-7 and 0-2 respectively.

Swarthmore jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first set and never looked back on its way to a 25-13 win. The Garnet clinched the opening set on a service error by the Shorewomen.

Washington jumped out to a 7-4 lead in the second set following a service ace by freshman defensive specialist Rita Rivera (Plymouth Meeting, PA/Plymouth-Whitemarsh). Swarthmore answered with with a 9-2 run to take a 13-9 lead following a kill by Genny Pezzola. The Shorewomen won six of the next nine points to reduce the Garnet lead to 16-15, but Swarthmore won the last nine points of the middle set seal it at 25-15.

In the third and final set, Swarthmore opened up an 11-5 lead before Washington answered with an 8-2 spurt to tie the set at 13-13. With the hosts up 18-17, Swarthmore scored four straight points to open up a 22-17 cushion. Washington cut the lead to 23-21, but the Garnet won the last two points of the set to win the match. Swarthmore's Kathryn Montemurro ended the match with a service ace.

Swarthmore got a triple-double Allison Coleman and a double-double from Pezzola. Coleman tied for the match-high with 21 assists, and added 13 kills and 10 digs. Pezzola had a match-best 14 kills and 15 digs for the hosts. Kearney Bangs handed out 17 assists, while Montemurro netted 10 kills in the win. The Garnet hit .324 as a team on the evening.

Washington got 21 assists from senior setter Caitlin Ward (Wantagh, NY/Holy Trinity), which tied for tops in the match. She is now 41 assists away from 3,000 career helpers. Sophomore outside hitter Lauren Feeny (Upper Darby, PA/Villa Maria Academy) had seven kills and freshman libero Kaitlin Rowan (Damascus, MD/Damascus) had seven digs to lead the Shorewomen.

Washington College returns to action on Saturday with a tri-match at Rowan. Washington plays host Rowan at 11:00 a.m. and Marymount at 1:00 p.m.