Volleyball Drops First Match at Wesleyan Quad

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. - The Wesleyan University women's volleyball team defeated the visiting Mitchell College Mariners, 3-0 (25-9, 25-10, 25-7), at Silloway Gym Friday night in the first of three matches in the Wesleyan Quad.
 
Wesleyan opened the first set with an 8-2 lead, and extended it with a 7-4 run to give the Cardinals a 15-7 advantage. Wesleyan then added three straight points to make the score 18-7, and ended the set on a 7-2 spurt to take set number one, 25-9.
 
After Mitchell got out to an early 2-0 lead in set number two, the Cardinals battled back for eight straight points to take an 8-2 advantage. The teams played close to even over the next seven points and the score became 12-5 before Wesleyan look 13 of the next 18 points to end the set, 25-10.
 
The Cardinals continued their consistent play in the final set by jumping out to a 6-1 lead and never looked back. Wesleyan then extended its lead to 13-4 by taking seven of the next 10 points, and finished the match on a 12-3 run to win 25-7.
 
Wesleyan was led by Sarah Swenson's nine kills and three digs, while Tyla Taylor added seven kills and three digs. Naja Lewis dominated the net with seven blocks and added three kills. Setters Claire Larson and Heidi Westerman combined for 34 assists with Larson having 23 in the first two sets and Westerman closing the match with 11 in the final set. Wesleyan hit with a brisk .463 efficiency on the evening. Rachel Savage paced the Cardinals with 11 digs and two aces.
 
Mitchell hit -.103 as a team and was led by junior Amanda Garcia's six kills and three digs. Sophomore Amanda Rowan added two kills and two digs in the loss. The Mariners' Nicole Caminiti ended with six assists and five digs for the contest.
 
The other half of the Quad Match Friday night was dominated by Worcester State University, as the Lancers knocked off Curry College, 3-0 (25-22, 25-12, 25-10).
 
Wesleyan will play Worcester State on Saturday at 11 a.m., followed by Curry College at 2 p.m. Mitchell will play Curry at 11a.m. and Worcester State at 2 p.m.