WASHINGTON, Pa. -- The Washington & Jefferson volleyball team bested Franciscan, 3-2, to earn a split in Saturday's tri-match, hosted by Washington & Jefferson. Saturday marked the first home games for the Presidents since the season opener on Sept. 1.

In the first match of the day, the Presidents earned a hard fought 3-2 win victory (21-25, 25-18, 13-25, 25-23, 15-11) over the Barons. The Red & Black had a harder time against Waynesburg, falling in the fifth set to the Yellow Jackets (19-25, 15-25, 25-22, 25-22, 6-15). 

W&J 3, Fanciscan 2 (21-25, 25-18, 13-25, 25-23, 15-11)

In the opener against the Barons, Lizzie Carmichael (Wyoming, Ohio/ Wyoming) paced the Presidents with 15 kills. Jaden Blough (Meyersdale, Pa./ Meyersdale) was right behind, recording 13 kills. Alexis Tomassini (Gettysburg, Pa./ Gettysburg) and Lanie French (Beaver, Pa./ Beaver Area) finished tied for the team lead with one service ace a piece. This marks French's first service ace and point of her collegiate career. Tomassini was the center of the Presidents offense as she recorded a career high of 47 assists on the team's 53 kills. W&J used four consecutive points to build an 9-13 lead in the second set after falling to Franciscan in the first set by a final four consecutive points by the Barons to end the match, 25-21.

The Presidents held the lead by one point for the majority of the fourth set, it came down to a block and kill from Carmichael to send the two teams into a fifth set. The Presidents and Barons were tied for the first 11 points. However, a service ace from Tomassini ended the match, 15-11.

Defensively, the Presidents were led by Sophia Sacriponte (Butler, Pa./ Butler Area) who tallied 33 digs. Claire Sauerland (Hollidaysburg, Pa./ Hollidaysburg Area) also tallied over 20 digs for the Presidents as she tallied a career-high 26 digs against the Barons.

W&J 2, Waynesburg 3 (19-25, 15-25, 25-22, 25-22, 6-15)

The second match against Waynesburg was another tough battle that went into five sets. After dropping the first two sets, W&J jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the third set. The Yellow Jackets trailed by as many as 10 points and significantly trimmed their deficit but W&J held on for a 25-22 victory in the third set. W&J tallied the final three points of the fourth set to break a late tie and win 25-22. Sauerland and Ashley Kovel (Everett, Pa./Everett) combined to account for two blocks in the final three points.

W&J was unable to complete the comeback, as they faced a sizeable 6-0 deficit in the decisive fifth set. Waynesburg recorded three service aces and took advantage of an attack error to build the six-point edge. The Yellow Jackets would extend their lead to 13-4 before Kovel recorded back-to-back kills. However, the visitors recorded the final two points of the set to clinch the match at 15-6.

Sauerland and Carmichael led the way with 12 kills each while Blough also reached double-digit kills with 10. On defense, Sacriponte tallied 39 digs, as she bested her previous career-high, which was set earlier this week. Tomassini and Lanie French (Beaver, Pa./Beaver) each recorded 22 digs.  Kovel and Sauerland led the Presidents with four total blocks, respectively. 

W&J will take on Westminster for the first time this season in New Wilmington, Pa on Tuesday Sept. 28. The match is scheduled to start at 7 PM.