PITTSBURGH, Pa. – April 12, 2021 – In the PAC Consolation game, the Chatham volleyball team ended the season on a high note thanks to a five-set win over Thiel (25-16, 17-25, 23-25, 25-15, 15-11).
 
Chatham got off to a great start in the first set, thanks in part to a 9-1 scoring streak that ran the Cougars' lead to 14-7. Chatham went on to lead by as many as 10 in the first set and ended with a convincing 25-16 win.
 
The second set was the same story, but with a different result. This time, it was Thiel leaping out to an early lead thanks to a 6-0 streak to start. The Tomcats never trailed in the second set as they maintained a 25-17 win in the frame, evening the score at 1-1.
 
The third set was back-and-forth. Chatham started off hot with a 5-1 run to begin, but its lead would evaporate at the 10-10 mark. Chatham was able to tie the score late in the set at 23-23, but ultimately Thiel scored the final two points and escaped with a 25-23 win.
 
With their backs against the wall, the Cougars came out swinging. Chatham never trailed in the fourth set, with its lead ballooned to double-digits on a few occasions, forcing the game into the fifth.
 
Much like the third set, Chatham and Thiel traded punches. At first, the Tomcats had the upper hand, taking an 8-6 lead which dwindled to 9-8. Following a Thiel service error, Chatham got the upper hand and put away the Tomcats 15-11 in the fifth, winning its third five-set match of the season and second straight to close the year.
 
Much like the W&J match last week, the opposition held advantages in most categories. The only statistic in which Chatham led came in digs, 82-76. Both teams handed out 39 assists and the Cougars narrowly lost the serving game, kills, and overall point battles.
 
Junior Emily Richie led the way, registering 14 kills with two service aces. First-year Brynn Zajac played her best game in her young collegiate career with 10 kills and an assisted block. Sophomore Rylee Ritko had double digit points thanks to nine kills and an additional service ace. Sophomore Shaelah Pepperman and first-year Lona Bailey manned the assists at 16 and 15, respectively, while first-year Meghan Dominek tied a career-best 30 digs.
 
Chatham finishes the 2021 season with a 5-5 record, including a 3-5 PAC mark.