WILKES-BARRE, PA- The women's volleyball Eagles defeated the Wilkes University Colonels on Saturday afternoon in another 3-0 sweep.
It wasn't the smoothest of sails in set one. After splitting the first 10 points 5-5, Wilkes proved that they were going to fight. They resisted Juniata's pressure throughout the first set, but were unable to score points in the later portion of the opening set. Juniata went on a long 17-3 run to take control. Within the run, the Eagles won 12 consecutive points. At 22-8, Wilkes was unable to come back and the Eagles took set one 25-11 off of a Wilkes service error.
Wilkes showed more early resistance in set two, taking a 2-4 lead in the first six points after a four point burst. The Eagles stuck with them, and weren't able to gain any separation initially. Then, at 12-12, the Eagles won 11 out of the next 12 points to put them within striking range of winning the set. Wilkes was only able to win two more points before the Eagles had set point, and converted on a Wilkes attack error. They won the set 25-15.
Yet again the Colonels started well in set three. They led 3-5 after trailing 3-1, winning another four consecutive points to put the Eagles on their heels. The Eagles would jump up and fly again though, taking a 13-5 lead at the end of a 10-0 run. Wilkes wasn't done yet, however. They won eight of the ensuing nine points and eventually tied the game up 15-15. A five point run in the final portion of the match helped the Eagles gain some separation, but Wilkes kept responding. They came within three points late, but ultimately succumbed to the Eagles 25-21 in the final set. Emily Sullivan clinched the final point with a kill.
Maeve Edmund was the kill leader for the Eagles with eight, while Abbey Telesz made 16 assists and Sophia Repholz added 10 digs. Repholz also added five aces on the day.
The Eagles will now shift gears for the Wesleyan Invitational where they will take a break from conference play to face Wesleyan University, Ithaca College, and Colby College next weekend.
