CHESTER, Pa. – Widener Women's Volleyball battled Misericordia through five sets on Wednesday night, but the Cougars ultimately secured a 3-2 victory over the Pride.
The Pride moves to 0-3 on the season.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Sophia Schultz led the Pride with 10 kills, while Ava Kramer added nine and Airyn Zimmerman finished with eight.
- Mary Carter recorded a team-high six service aces, while Zimmerman added four and Campbell Chronister finished with three.
- Kramer led Widener with 14 digs, while Chronister added eight and Carter recorded seven.
- Chronister finished with 18 assists, while Carter added 16.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Widener and Misericordia traded points throughout the opening set, with neither team able to create much separation early. After the score reached 16-16, the Pride broke through with a five-point run to take a 21-16 lead. Carter sparked the stretch from the service line, recording four consecutive aces. Misericordia attempted to answer late, but Widener held its lead and secured the opening set, 25-20.
- The Cougars came out quickly in the second, jumping ahead 5-0 and eventually building a 12-3 advantage. Widener continued to chip away at the deficit, using kills and strong serving to work its way back into the set. The Pride closed the gap late, but Misericordia maintained its advantage and evened the match with a 25-19 win.
- Widener responded with another competitive set, taking an early 3-1 lead before the Cougars battled back. The teams continued to exchange points, eventually reaching a 15-15 tie. The Pride then created separation with four straight points, including a kill from Schultz and an ace from Zimmerman, to take a 19-15 lead. Misericordia fought back to tie the set at 19-19, but Widener answered late and scored four of the final seven points to take the set, 25-23, and move ahead 2-1.
- The fourth set remained close early, with Widener holding a 5-3 advantage before Misericordia answered. The Pride stayed within striking distance as the teams battled to a 15-15 tie. The Cougars then began to pull away, building a 20-17 lead and eventually reaching set point at 24-19. Widener fought off the first match point and scored twice more to cut the deficit to 24-21, but Misericordia closed the set, 25-21, to force a decisive fifth frame.
- Misericordia grabbed the early momentum in the deciding set, taking a 5-2 lead. Widener continued to battle and stayed within reach at 8-5 before the Cougars extended their advantage. Misericordia pushed ahead 14-7, but the Pride refused to go quietly, scoring three straight points to cut the deficit to 14-10. The Cougars, however, finished the set with the final point to take the fifth, 15-10, and secure the five-set victory.
UP NEXT
The Pride hit the road as they head to the Knights Invitational hosted by Neumann University in Aston, Pa. The Pride will take on Rowan on Friday, September 11. at 3 p.m.
