WC Downs Both Gwynedd-Mercy and Baruch In Three Sets

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – The Washington College volleyball team started its 2017 campaign with two victories on Friday in the first day of the DeSales Invitational at Billera Gym in a pair of non-conference volleyball matches.  The Shorewomen topped Gwynedd Mercy in three sets (25-13, 25-13, 25-17) and captured all three sets from Baruch (25-16, 25-17, 25-18).  Washington notched 33 service aces in the two triumphs.

Washington College 3 Gwynedd Mercy 0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-17)

How It Happened
-The Shorewomen raced out to a 6-0 lead in the first set and never looked as Abby Smith served three aces in that stretch as WC never trailed in the set.  Washington clinched the set on a kill by Alaina Geissberger on a feed from Taylor Horan.
-Tied at 7-7 in the second set, Washington went on a 6-0 run to take a 13-7 lead on an ace by Geissberger.  Geissberger ended the second set on a kill with Horan picking up the assist as the Shorewomen won the final five points of the set.    
-In third and final set, the Shorewomen led the Griffins 15-12 before going on a 7-1 run to take a 22-13 lead on a kill by Smith with Horan chalking up the helper.  Lizzie Baden clinched the set and match on an unassisted kill. 

For The Shorewomen (1-0)
-Horan (match-high 26 assists and team-best nine digs), Smith (match-bests of five aces and three blocks), Abby Hilty (four aces), Isabella Sansanelli (three aces).
- The Shorewomen hit .353 in the match while serving up 17 aces. 

For Gwynedd Mercy (0-2)
-Cait Saalfrank (match-high 19 digs) and Kerry McGlinn (eight assists).
-The Griffins hit .000 in the contest.

Washington College 3 Baruch 0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-17)

How It Happened
-In the opening set, the Shorewomen won the set's first seven points before the Bearcats won six of the next seven points to cut the lead to 8-6 on a WC attack error.  Washington would retake control of the set and never looked back with five straight points to take a 13-6 lead on Cassie Kowalski service ace.  Kaitlyn Marino ended the set on a kill from Horan.
-The Shorewomen won the first four points in the second set and never trailed on their way to a seven-point win.  Smith clinched the set win a kill from Amy Rohn.
-In third and final set, WC took a 10-1 lead on a Kowalski finisher.  Marino ended the match with a kill from Horan. 

For The Shorewomen (2-0)
-Horan (26 assists to lead all players and 10 digs to tie for match-high for double-double), Smith (10 digs to tie for tops in the contest and match-best six aces), for double-double and tops in the contest), Marino (contest-high 11 kills), Kowalski and Rohn (four aces each), Sansanelli (three blocks to lead all players).
-Washington hit .200 in the win and totaled 16 aces in the victory.

For Baruch (0-2)
-Stella Chung (eight kills and five aces to lead Bearcats), Danielle Naggar (squad-high nine digs).
-The Bearcats were held to a .053 hitting percentage by the WC defense, while notching seven aces.

Notes
-Horan registered up her 40th career double-double in the win over Baruch.
-Smith totaled 11 services aces in the two victories.
-Washington netted 33 aces in the two wins.
-The Shorewomen lead the all-time series against Gwynedd Mercy 4-1.  The Griffins won in four sets at Dickinson in 2006, while the Shorewomen swept at Wesley in 2010 and at DeSales the past two seasons.
-This was the fourth all-time meeting for WC against Baruch.  The Shorewomen won in four sets in 2008 in New York City and in three sets at DeSales in 2015 and 2016. 
-In 10 matches at the DeSales Invitatational, Washington is 9-1 all-time.

Up Next
9/3 @ DeSales – Noon (DeSales Invitational)
9/3 vs. Rutgers-Camden – 2:00 p.m. (DeSales Invitational)
- DeSales downed Washington in three sets in last season's meeting at the invitational.
- Washington bounced back to top Rutgers-Camden in four sets in the last match of the tournament.
- Second and final day of the DeSales Invitational.