WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Washington & Jefferson College women's volleyball team (2-7) suffered a tough five-set defeat to the Trine Thunder (3-4) in Saturday action at the 2026 Pam Briggs Classic. Saturday's portion of the two-day event was hosted by Otterbein University at the Rike Center.
The Presidents were led offensively by
Cali Dagen (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan), who finished with a match-high 18 kills.
Brielle Moorhouse (East Liberty, Ohio/Benjamin Logan) posted a team-high 25 assists and added a match-best four service aces.
Isabella Bottiglieri (Mohnton, Pa./Governor Mifflin) tallied 15 assists, nine digs and a pair of service aces. Defensively,
Sydney Allen (Washington, Pa./Trinity) boasted the match high with 25 digs.
Abby Oldham (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell) led the Presidents' defensive efforts at the net with four total blocks.
The two teams traded narrow victories in the first two sets. W&J and Trine were tied nine times in the opening set. The Presidents used a pair of kills by Dagen to push in front 21-18. W&J held Trine at bay for the remainder of the set to claim a 25-23 decision.
The second set saw the score evened up 17 times. The Presidents seemed poised to take a commanding hold on the match, as they led by a 24-22 margin following kills by Oldham and Dagen. However, the Thunder ripped off four-straight points to secure the set by a 26-24 score.
Trine rolled to take the third set by a lopsided margin. The Thunder scored seven of the first seven points of the set and never looked back as they won 25-14 in the third.
W&J responded in the early stages of the fourth set. Back-to-back kills by
Emma Padovano (Richwood, Ohio/North Union) and
Rian Benz (Strongsville, Ohio/Holy Name) made it an early 6-1 lead for the Red and Black. The Presidents methodically added to their lead throughout the set. W&J recorded seven of the final eight points to take the set 25-14.
The Presidents had chances in the decisive fifth set but were unable to put the match away. Four-straight points strengthened the lead to 11-6 after a kill by Padovano. The Presidents gained match point twice down the stretch, as they led 14-12 after a kill by Oldham and 15-14 after a kill by Benz. However, the Thunder ended up walking away with the victory after tallying four of the final five points.
The final stat sheet reflected a highly competitive five-set thriller. However, W&J suffered the setback despite finishing with a .275 hitting percentage, which bested that of Trine (.226). The Presidents held edges in kills (60-59) and digs (64-61). The Thunder led in aces (15-11) and blocks (7-6).
W&J returns home to face Carlow University on Wednesday (Sept. 16) at Salvitti Family Gymnasium. Start time is scheduled for 6 p.m.
