WASHINGTON, Pa. – Chatham Women's Volleyball (8-6, 4-2 PAC) earned its third consecutive victory with a 3-0 (28-26, 25-13, 25-23) sweep over Washington & Jefferson (5-14, 2-4 PAC) on Wednesday night at Salvitti Family Gymnasium.
Chatham built a 10-6 lead in the opening set before W&J responded and moved ahead 14-12. The Cougars answered with four consecutive points, including a
Zoie Bateman solo block, a
Kate Giannetta service ace and a
Paige Watson kill, to take a 16-14 advantage. The Presidents later used a 3-0 run to lead 21-18, but a Giannetta kill and
Kelly Dougherty ace helped Chatham pull within one. The teams battled through ties at 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 before an
Annelese Atkinson kill gave the Cougars set point. Bateman followed with a kill to secure the 28-26 victory.
The second frame was tied at six before Chatham began to pull away. Kills from
Becca Gesner and Bateman helped the Cougars build a 15-11 advantage, and Chatham later closed the set with seven unanswered points. Watson started the run with a kill before Gesner and Bateman combined for four kills as the Cougars claimed the frame 25-13. Chatham hit .393 with 13 kills and just two errors in the set.
W&J took an 18-13 lead in set three, but the Cougars worked their way back behind kills from Gesner, Watson,
Evie White and Atkinson. The Presidents remained in front 22-20 before Chatham won five of the final six points. Bateman recorded two kills during the closing stretch, and a W&J attack error gave the Cougars match point. Gesner then delivered the final kill to complete the comeback and the sweep.
Bateman recorded a match-high 12 kills and added three digs and two blocks. Atkinson finished with 11 kills on .333 hitting, while Gesner totaled eight kills on .278 hitting. Watson contributed four kills and a match-high three blocks.
Delaney Schwind dished out a match-high 18 assists, and Giannetta finished with 14 assists and a match-high two service aces. Dougherty anchored the defense with a match-high 16 digs and added four assists and an ace.
Maddy Roberts recorded six kills and nine digs.
Chatham outhit W&J .240 to .127 and held a 46-34 advantage in kills. The Cougars also led 6-4 in service aces and 4-3 in blocks.
The Cougars return home on Saturday, October 17
th when they host Thiel for Senior Day at 12
PM at the Athletic & Fitness Center.
