MEADVILLE, Pa. - September 17, 2021 - Chatham Volleyball traveled to Allegheny College this evening for their first two games of a three-game appearance at the Allegheny Invitational. The Cougars won 3-1 (22-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-19) in their first game against La Roche University before coming up short against the host Allegheny 3-0 (16-25, 22-25, 18-25).

Chatham got off to a slow start against La Roche, which gave the Redhawks a lead they would not relinquish throughout the remainder of the game. The Cougars came as close as a one-point deficit at 19-20, but the Redhawk momentum carried them into a win.

Set two saw offensive spark from the Cougars, starting with a service ace from Sophomore Meghan Dominek, who would stay at the line for five straight Chatham points.

La Roche began to battle back more evenly until Meghan Dominek struck again, first with an assist on Emily Richie's go-ahead kill, and then at the service line for three more points. The final kills for the Cougars would be added by graduate Macy King, junior Rylee Ritko, Junior Shaelah Pepperman, and senior Emily Richie once more.

The Cougars got down early in set three, but recovered in typical fashion. At 17-13 with Pepperman at the service line, the Cougars battled for five straight points, featuring kills from Ritko, sophomore Paige Bogozi, and a service ace from Pepperman herself.

With the Cougars now controlling the game, the Redhawks were defenseless against the offensive efforts of King, Bogozi, and first-year Molly Biggs.

Set four's first Cougar kill was forced by Macy King, who was later joined by Richie, Bogozi, Ritko, and sophomore defensive specialist Amelia Bogovich.

After the first game, Emily Richie led the team in kills with 15, followed by Rylee Ritko with 11. Shaelah Pepperman racked up 34 assists in the win, and Meghan Dominek had a team-high 22 kills.

Game two would prove more difficult for the Cougars against a tough Allegheny squad. The Cougars scored 16, 22, and 18 points respectively, but Allegheny had the upper hand throughout all three sets.

Chatham had three players with at least five kills each, Paige Bogozi, Emily Richie, and Rylee Ritko with 12. Bogozi also added two aces. Shaelah Pepperman added 24 more assists in game two as Meghan Dominek was the leader again in digs with 15.

The Cougars are back in action tomorrow at 11 AM as they take on local rival Mount Aloysius College.