BETHANY, W.Va. -- Behind a career-high 16 kills from senior Julia Galbraith (Pittsburgh, Pa./Vincentian Academy), the Washington & Jefferson College volleyball team earned a split of a Presidents' Athletic Conference tri-match Saturday afternoon. 
 
The Presidents downed Chatham University in four sets (3-1) after falling in straight sets to host Bethany College (3-0) in the opener. 
 
W&J 3, Chatham 1 (25-17, 26-28, 29-27, 25-23) 
 
The Presidents picked up a 3-1 victory over Chatham to even its conference record. After winning the first set by a 25-17 score, the Cougars bounced back with a 28-26 victory in set two to tie the match at a set apiece. W&J outlasted Chatham in both the third (29-27) and fourth sets (25-23) to take the match. 
 
Galbraith led all players with a match-high and career-best 16 kills. The senior added 20 digs to her stat sheet. 
 
Senior Julia Bernesser (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler) recorded 14 kills and four blocks, while junior Haley Nelson (Warren, Pa./Warren) swatted down 11 successful attacks. Senior setter Mallory O'Brien (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) collected a season-high 45 assists to guide the offense. 
 
Defensively, senior libero Makenzie Coughlin (Brunswick, Ohio/Brunswick) paced the defense with 24 digs. Junior defensive specialist Katie Conner (Pittsburgh, Pa./Vincentian Academy) tallied 15 digs, while O'Brien added 14 and sophomore Alexis Tomassini (Gettysburg, Pa./Gettysburg) pitched in 10 digs. 
 
Sophomore middle Ashley Kovel (Everett, Pa./Everett) recorded a career-high seven total blocks for W&J. 
 
 Bethany 3, W&J 0 (17-25, 19-25, 22-25) 
 
The host Bison earned a straight set victory by scores of 25-17, 25-19 and 25-22.
 
Nelson led the Presidents with 10 kills and a strong .500 hitting percentage against the Bison. O'Brien tallied 21 assists while Tomassini registered 13 digs and Coughlin added 12. 
 
After playing 12 of its first 13 games away from home, W&J will play its next four contests at the Henry Center. The Presidents will host Waynesburg for a conference game on Thursday, Sept. 26. 
 
The match against the Yellow Jackets will be the first official athletic event in the newly renovated Henry Gym. Start time is scheduled for 7 p.m.