Posted: Sep 01, 2017
The Wilmington College volleyball team opened the season with a pair of 3-1 losses as the Fightin' Quakers hosted a tri-match Friday at Fred Raizk Arena in Hermann Court.
HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME ONE)
- Wilmington won the first set 25-23 before falling in three straight, 25-19, 25-14, 25-17 to Edison Community College.
- WC hit a match-high .227 in the opening set, and finished with a .142 hitting percentage overall.
- Freshmen Jillian Wesco (Casstown, OH/Miami East) and Karley Schlensker (Fairfield, OH/Hamilton Badin) combined for 24 of the team's 44 kills. Both players tallied double-doubles as Schlensker finished with 11 kills and 12 digs, and Wesco tallied 13 kills and 11 digs.
- Senior Becca Harting (Farmersville, OH/Valley View) added 10 digs.
- Freshman Lauryn Griewahn (Adrian, MI/Adrian) dished out a team-high 32 assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME TWO)
- After dropping the first set, 25-22, Wilmington fought back for a gutsy 32-30 win in the second set. However, the momentum couldn't carry over as OU-Chillicothe sealed the victory with 25-16 and 25-18 wins.
- Freshman Ariel Goforth (Bartlett, TN/Bartlett) tallied her first career double-double with 12 kills and 18 digs.
- Schlensker added 11 kills and 10 digs, while Wesco tallied 10 kills and nine digs.
- Griewahn dished out 27 assists, while sophomore Alyssa McKenzie (Adrian, MI/Adrian) added 14 assists.
- Sophomore Amber Rox (Lawrenceburg, IN/Lawrenceburg) recorded two solo blocks and two block assists, while sophomore Meghan Koch (Fayetteville, OH/Fayetteville Perry) had four block assists.
COACHES QUOTES
- "I thought today we had stretches of playing very good volleyball throughout both matches," said Wilmington head coach Tim O'Brien. "Unfortunately, we were not consistent enough in a couple areas of the game, and I think that's why we lost both matches."
- "Some highlights were freshmen Karley Schlensker stepping up offensively, and in the serve receive game. She played the most consistent throughout the night."
- "Our setters, freshman Lauryn Griewahn and sophomore Alyssa McKenzie, did a nice job while dealing with injuries all night. They made great decisions for the most part, and will continue to get better timing with our attackers."
- "Lastly, freshman Jillian Wesco did an outstanding job attacking in the middle, serve receiving and attacking out of the back row. She is a game-changing athlete, and her presence was felt all night."
WHAT'S NEXT
Wilmington travels to Franklin 7 p.m. Wednesday to play the Grizzlies in non-conference action.