WASHINGTON, Pa. – Chatham Women's Volleyball (9-3, 4-1 PAC) was defeated by a conference opponent for the first time this season on Wednesday night, falling 3-1 (25-18, 21-25, 25-18, 25-17) at Washington & Jefferson (9-7, 4-1).
 
In the first set, the Cougars took seven of eight points from the Presidents to lead 13-12. Chatham would go up 17-16 before surrendering nine of the final ten points of the set. The Cougars battled back in set two, taking an 8-3 advantage after three Annika Solfronk kills, and would eventually win the set on a Solfronk kill after taking five of the final six points. The third frame was a back-and-forth affair, with Chatham getting within 15-13 before Washington & Jefferson pulled away for the match advantage. A Vanessa Mleczko kill and ace put the Cougars up early in the fourth set, but the Presidents continued to use their momentum from the previous frame and won the final six points for the match victory.
 
Cali Dagen led W&J with a match high 15 kills and 4 service aces. Brielle Moorhouse finished the match with 38 assists and 4 blocks, and Lola Jacobs hit .400 with 9 kills and 5 blocks for the Presidents.
 
Becca Gesner was Chatham's leader in kills with 9. Ava Plunkard and Evelyn White both recorded 5 blocks for the Cougars. Mleczko had 3 aces and 10 digs for Chatham. Sierra Ricci was the match leader in digs with 23, and Delaney Schwind was the Cougars' leader in assists with 21. Paige Watson totaled 8 kills and 3 blocks for Chatham, which attacked .101 for the match to W&J's .146.
 
Next on the schedule for the Cougars is Saturday's homecoming match against Allegheny, which has a 1 p.m. start time at the Athletic and Fitness Center.