Widener University Athletics

GRANTHAM, Pa. - Women's Volleyball wrapped up its road schedule with a 3-0 loss to Messiah in a MAC Commonwealth matchup.

The Pride move to 7-19 overall and 2-5 in conference play.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Kaitlyn Guessford, Ava Kramer and Airyn Zimmerman led Widener with five kills apiece.
• Mira Canali paced the Pride with four blocks, while Gabriella Bottino added two.
• Mary Carter recorded a team-high 10 assists, followed by Campbell Chronister with six.
• Chronister led Widener with nine digs, while Rachel Towers and Sophia Schultz each added seven.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Widener kept the opening set competitive, working to erase an early deficit after Messiah scored the first four points. Kramer got the Pride on the board with a kill, then followed with a service ace as Widener began to settle in. Schultz and Zimmerman added kills, while Zimmerman also recorded a service ace. The Pride continued to chip away, with Guessford contributing a kill and a block from Canali and Bottino helping Widener close the gap. After Messiah extended its lead, Kramer added another service ace, and a kill from Zimmerman helped even the score at 14-14. The teams continued to trade points, with Guessford and Kramer adding kills to keep the Pride within reach. Messiah then created separation with a late run and closed out the first set, 25-18.
• The Pride kept the second set close early, trading points with Messiah and tying the score at 5-5 behind a kill from Guessford. Kramer and Canali teamed up for a block to bring Widener within three at 10-7, and Kramer and Chronister connected for a kill to make it 10-8. The Pride continued to battle, with Kramer adding another kill and Schultz contributing two kills as Widener stayed within reach. After Messiah opened up a four-point lead, kills from Schultz and Guessford helped the Pride cut the deficit to 17-15. Zimmerman added a kill to keep Widener within two at 18-16, and the Pride remained close at 20-17. Messiah scored five of the final eight points to secure the second set, 25-20.
• Messiah jumped out to an early lead in the third set, scoring five of the first six points. Widener responded with a block from Zimmerman and Guessford, along with a point from Kramer, but the Falcons continued to build their advantage. The Pride looked to rally behind kills from Chronister, Canali, Schultz, and Zimmerman, with Zimmerman and Carter connecting for another point late in the set. Widener pulled within 23-13, but Messiah secured the final two points to complete the three-set victory.

UP NEXT
The Pride return home on Wednesday, November 4, for Senior Night as they welcome Neumann for a 7 p.m. match.