PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Chatham Women's Volleyball (9-6, 5-2 PAC) earned a 3-1 (25-10, 18-25, 25-23, 25-20) victory over Thiel (7-7, 4-3 PAC) on Senior Day at the Athletic & Fitness Center.
The Cougars took control of the opening set with five consecutive points that turned a 3-2 lead into an 8-2 advantage. After Thiel pulled within 9-7, Chatham answered with three straight points, including a block from
Maddy Roberts and
Evie White and a Roberts service ace. The Cougars later scored eight unanswered points to extend their lead to 20-8, with
Zoie Bateman recording two kills during the run. Chatham hit .387 in the frame and closed it 25-10.
Thiel responded in the second set, using a 10-0 run to turn a 1-1 tie into an 11-1 advantage. The Tomcats extended their lead to 17-3 before Chatham began cutting into the deficit. Kills from
Becca Gesner and
Evie White helped the Cougars score four consecutive points, and later service aces from White and
Kate Giannetta brought Chatham within 22-15. Thiel held off the rally and won the set 25-18 to even the match.
The Tomcats carried their momentum into set three and built a 12-4 lead. Chatham battled back behind kills from
Paige Watson, Gesner and Roberts, eventually cutting the deficit to 19-16. A Bateman kill and a Thiel attack error brought the Cougars within one before a Watson kill and another Tomcat error tied the frame at 20. The teams traded points until a Gesner kill put Chatham ahead 24-23, and the Cougars claimed the next rally to complete the comeback and take the set.
Chatham built a 15-8 advantage in the fourth frame behind a Gesner kill and Giannetta service ace. Thiel responded with a 4-0 run to pull within 17-16, but a kill from
Evie White helped the Cougars regain control. Bateman recorded three kills during Chatham's final four offensive points, putting the Cougars ahead 22-17, 23-18 and 24-19. Watson then ended the match with a solo block to secure the 25-20 set victory.
Gesner led all players with 16 kills on .400 hitting and added five digs and two blocks. Bateman finished with nine kills, including five in the fourth set, while Roberts totaled eight kills and 11 digs. Watson recorded six kills and a match-high four blocks, and
Evie White added five kills on .385 hitting with two blocks.
Giannetta dished out a match-high 18 assists, collected 11 digs and served two aces.
Delaney Schwind added 12 assists, while
Kelly Dougherty led Chatham with 15 digs and contributed nine assists.
Mackenzie Moore finished with 12 digs and one ace.
Chatham outhit Thiel .228 to .116 and held a 49-38 advantage in kills. The Cougars also led 67-61 in digs and 6-2 in blocks.
The Cougars return to action on Wednesday, October 21
st when they travel to Latrobe, PA to take on Saint Vincent at 7
PM.
