PITTSBURGH, Pa. - September 23, 2021 - Chatham hosted Franciscan earlier tonight in a Presidents' Athletic Conference matchup. The Cougars swept the Barons (25-13, 25-18, 25-21) to earn their seventh overall win of the season and third in conference play.
Chatham began their night with a kill from senior Emily Richie, setting the tone for the rest of the match. Sophomore Paige Bogozi stepped up next, getting a kill for the Cougars before two straight service aces. With the Cougars up 5-4, Chatham went on a 10-point run in front of the service of sophomore Amelia Bogovich, effectively knocking the Barons out of the set for good. The final Cougar points would be scored by sophomore Baileigh Horan and graduate Macy King, as well as Franciscan errors caused by the serves of junior Shaelah Pepperman.
Down early in set two, the Cougars battled back to an even match before taking full control with an eight-point rally at the 14-17 mark. With sophomore Meghan Dominek at the line, Bogozi and Richie would secure game-saving kills to put the Cougars ahead with 22. Despite one more Baron point, Bogozi and Richie would hammer home the final three points needed to go up 2-0.
In set three, Chatham fell as far as four points behind, but ruined the Franciscan lead by continuing their pattern of multi-point runs. Bogozi and Richie were once again behind the Cougar kills, while junior Rylee Ritko continued to force defensive errors on the Barons from behind the line. With the game tied at 21, Chatham would go on a four-point run to close out the game with Dominek serving and Richie earning the last kill via Pepperman.
Emily Richie had a team-high 12 kills on the night, followed by Paige Bogozi and Rylee Ritko with nine and eight respectively. Shaelah Pepperman recorded 29 assists in the win. At the service line, Amelia Bogovich tallied a game-high three aces, followed by Pepperman and Bogozi with two apiece. Macy King held down the Cougar defense at the net, recording four blocks.
The Cougars return to action on Saturday, September 25th at 12 and 2 PM at Saint Vincent College against the Bearcats and visiting PAC foe Geneva.
