WASHINGTON, Pa. -- Behind strong efforts from seniors
Morgan Jacques (Pittsburgh, Pa./Pittsburgh Science & Technology Academy) and
Makenzie Coughlin (Brunswick, Ohio/Brunswick), the Washington & Jefferson College volleyball team rolled to a 3-0 victory over Waynesburg University Thursday night at the Henry Memorial Center.
The Presidents dominated throughout the night, earning set wins of 25-18, 25-8 and 25-11 to secure their second straight conference win.
Jacques was strong on both offense and defense, as the senior recorded seven kills, a .583 hitting percentage and eight block assists in the victory. The eight blocks tied for the most in a match this season by a PAC player.
On the defensive side of the ledger, Coughlin racked up 25 digs, which is the second most by a league player in a three-set match this season.
W&J rattled off the first five points of the night, which included back-to-back service aces by senior
Julia Galbraith (Pittsburgh, Pa./Vincentian Academy). A service ace by Coughlin pushed the advantage to 8-1 to force a Waynesburg timeout. The Presidents rattled off a 9-4 run to build its largest lead of the first set (17-5) before claiming a 25-18 win.
The Presidents registered the first four points of the second set, using a kill from junior
Haley Nelson (Warren, Pa./Warren). A service ace by junior
Katie Conner (Pittsburgh, Pa./Vincentian Academy) extended the W&J advantage to 9-2. The Presidents pushed the lead into double figures when Jacques knocked down back-to-back kills to make the score 18-7. After a point by Waynesburg, the Presidents tallied the final seven points of the second set, which included two more kills by Jacques to claim a 25-8 decision.
Ten straight points in the third set helped W&J build a sizable 15-2 edge. The run included a pair of kills by senior
Julia Bernesser (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler), a service ace by sophomore
Alexis Tomassini (Gettysburg, Pa./Gettysburg) and two block assists by Nelson and Jacques. A little later in the third set, sophomore
Ashley Kovel (Everett, Pa./Everett) recorded a pair of kills before Jacques and freshman
Claire Sauerland (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg) finished off the match with a block.
Senior setter
Mallory O'Brien (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) tallied 15 assists while Tomassini chipped in nine. Galbraith also reached double figures in digs with 11. Five Presidents registered at least three block assists on the evening.
W&J hosts Geneva College (11 a.m.) and Grove City College (3 p.m.) for a conference tri-match at the Henry Memorial Center on Saturday, Sept. 28. The Golden Tornadoes and Wolverines will match up at 1 p.m.
