SANDUSKY, Ohio – The Washington & Jefferson College volleyball team mounted a competitive batch of meetings with nonconference foes this weekend at the Cedar Point Tournament. W&J unfortunately walked away winless from the tournament, catching two losses to Bluffton and Olivet on Saturday.
 
Bluffton 3, W&J 1 (25-22, 25-18, 15-25, 25-21)
 
Bluffton gave the Presidents a sense of déjà vu following a 2-0 start for the Beavers, taking the first two sets with comfortable margins.
 
W&J was able to regain their footing in the third set, managing a 25-15 set victory. A kill by Rian Benz (Strongsville, Ohio/Holy Name) in the midst of the set led the Presidents to a five-point streak. Following this run on point, W&J grew their lead to seven making it 18-11. With minimal pushback from the Beavers in the third, the Presidents would comfortably take their first set victory of the day.
 
Bluffton quickly recouped and managed to narrowly escape a fifth set with the Presidents, claiming their third set by a score of 25-21 to take the match 3-1.
 
Sophie Little (Marysville, Ohio/Fairbanks) led the team with 14 kills and 17 points. Also tacking on some crucial kills were Faith Fetsko (Venetia, Pa./South Park) and Benz with 8 and 7 respectively. Brielle Moorhouse (East Liberty, Ohio/Benjamin Logan) and Little both tallied two aces apiece in the match for the Presidents.
 
The trio of Abby Oldham (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell), Fetsko and Little led the team with three total blocks. Moorhouse recorded a team-high 17 assists in the match followed by Adrianna Sacramento (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills) with 14.
 
Olivet 3, W&J 1 (23-25, 25-14, 25-21, 25-19)
 
W&J flipped the switch on Olivet in the opening set of play after taking the first set, 25-23.
 
Despite comeback attempts by Olivet, the Presidents maintained the lead for the entirety of the opening set of play. Down the stretch, Little and Benz managed to close the door for the opposing side with two crucial kills. The final blow was set up by Sacramento, aiding with an assist.
 
Following the productive first set, Olivet managed to run away with the matchup posting three-straight set victories. The Presidents attempted to stick around in the third and fourth sets with a form of a comeback late, but to no avail.
 
Little remained atop the Presidents kill leaders, heading the team in kills for the second time today with nine. Little also tallied a team-high six total blocks on the afternoon. Little, Moorhouse and Sacramento all led the team in service aces with two each.
 
In the second bout of the day, Sacramento logged a total 22 assists followed by Moorhouse who recorded nine. On the defensive side, junior Piper McFarland (West Mifflin, Pa./Cornerstone Preparatory Academy) logged 15 digs coupled with Benz who tacked on 10.
 
W&J will look to rebound from the crowded weekend this coming Friday (Sept. 6) as they are set to host Hiram in their 2024 home opener. Opening serve is set for 7:00 p.m.