WASHINGTON, Pa. -- The Washington & Jefferson College volleyball team rolled to a 3-0 sweep over the visiting Waynesburg University Yellow Jackets Tuesday evening in action at Salvitti Family Gymnasium.
The Presidents picked up the victory in the home opener with set wins of 25-15, 27-25 and 25-15. The sweep was the first of the season for the Presidents, who improve to 5-6 overall in 2023. The loss dropped Waynesburg to 5-5.
W&J raced out of the gates for a 25-15 set one victory after posting 14 kills and .343 hitting percentage. After giving up the first two points of the match, W&J responded with eight-straight points. A pair of kills by
Faith Fetsko (South Park, Pa./South Park) capped the early match run. The lead swelled to eight points when
Abby Oldham (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell) and
Rian Benz (Strongsville, Ohio/Holy Name) assisted on a block to make it 13-5 Presidents. The Presidents continued to hold a comfortable lead throughout the rest of the set before
Sophie Little (Marysville, Ohio/Fairbanks) finished off the set one victory with a kill.
The Presidents had to work a little harder in the second set, as the Yellow Jackets built an early lead. Waynesburg led by as many as five points during the second set. However, the Presidents fought back with six-straight points. A service ace by
Caylin Angel (Wheeling, W.Va./Wheeling Park) and consecutive kills by Benz, Oldham and
Beyonce Pierce (Parkersburg, W.Va. / Parkersburg) pushed the Presidents in front by an 18-17 score. The seesaw affair saw the two teams trade points for the remainder of the set. Waynesburg had multiple chances to secure the set victory as they pushed things to the brink with a pair of set points. However, W&J proved up to the task as they ripped off the final three points for a 27-25 victory. A kill by Benz and a service ace by
Kaitlyn DeLauter (Marysville, Ohio / North Union) capped the set win for the Red and Black.
W&J took advantage of 14 attack errors by Waynesburg in the third set to cruise to a 25-15 victory for the sweep. Leading by a 15-13 margin, W&J went on a sizable run to close out the match. The Presidents recorded 10 of the final 12 points to earn the double-digit advantage in the final set. A kill by Benz punctuated the sweep for the Presidents.
Benz posted an impressive showing in her first home match. Benz finished with a team-high 12 kills, posted a .346 hitting average and added 16 digs. Fetsko recorded a nine-kill night.
Adrianna Sacramento (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills) and
Brielle Moorhouse (East Liberty, Ohio/Benjamin Logan) registered 15 assists and 14 assists, respectively.
W&J posted a strong blocking game throughout the night. Oldham posted a team-high five blocks while
Jaden Blough (Meyersdale, Pa./Meyersdale) and Little finished with four total blocks apiece.
Piper McFarland (West Mifflin, Pa. / Cornerstone Preparatory Academy) registered 23 digs to pace the Presidents' defensive efforts.
W&J travels to Bethany College for a road match on Thursday, Sept. 21. Varsity start time is scheduled 6 p.m. with a JV match to follow.
