MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Allegheny volleyball team battled past Grove City in five sets Wednesday (Oct. 28) for a key Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) victory.
The Gators won the match 25-16, 24-26, 25-20, 10-25, 15-11.
After some back-and-forth play to start, the Gators gained a 9-5 advantage, leading to a Wolverine timeout. Later in the set, a 4-0 run pushed their lead to 14-7. The Allegheny advantage grew to as much as nine as they took the opening set 25-16.
Grove City bounced back in the second set by taking an early lead. The Gators slowly chipped away at the disadvantage as a 3-0 run brought them within two points, 17-15. After Grove City called a timeout, the Gators would tie the set up at 20. The Wolverines went on a 3-0 run after that was matched by the Gators as the set was knotted 23. After trading points, the Wolverines scored the final two points of the set to even it up.
Allegheny opened the third set with a 9-4 run before a Wolverine timeout. Grove City rattled off three straight points before tying it up at 11. A few points later, the Gators started a 4-0 run to put them back in front, 17-13. That run fueled the Gators the rest of the set as they won it 25-20.
The Wolverines jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the fourth set. The Gators were unable to overcome the quick burst as the match went to a fifth and deciding set.
The Gators had the lead early in the fifth set. An overturned call on a challenged play gave them a 4-1 lead. After a kill by
Jillian Smetana (Chardon, Ohio/Berkshire), Grove City called a timeout. The Gators continued to pull closer to victory, advancing their lead to 10-5 as the Wolverines used their final timeout. Grove City would keep it close down the stretch, but a kill by
Marissa Rish (Burton, Ohio/Berkshire) ended the match with the Gators winning in five sets.
Inside the Box
- Rish produced her eighth triple-double of the year as she led the team with 13 kills to go alongside 15 digs and 12 assists. The first year also had a season-high six aces.
- Reilly Mendez (Los Gatos, Calif./Los Gatos) finished with nine kills while assisting on six blocks.
- Carlee Pepperman (Bellefonte, Pa./Bellefonte Area) tallied 14 digs, seven kills and five aces.
- Skyler Fatola (Queen Creek, Ariz./Eastmark) assisted on nine blocks while also registering six kills.
- Joanna Miller (Pittsburgh, Pa./Gateway) led the team with 20 assists.
- Duru Akbas (Ankara, Turkey/Layton Christian Academy (Utah)) accounted for 22 digs to lead the backline.
News and Notes
- Allegheny is now 31-17 all-time against Grove City.
- The Wolverines entered the match in second place with only one loss in PAC play.
- Rish is currently tied for the most triple-doubles in Division III this season.
Up Next
The Gators celebrate Senior Day at home Saturday (Oct. 31) against Chatham.
