DALLAS, PA: (Sept. 11, 2010) Arcadia University Volleyball saw their two game win streak come to a close with a pair of losses at the Misericrodia University Tri Match Saturday in Dallas, PA. The Knights forced host Misericordia to a fifth game tie-breaker, losing a tough battle 3-2 (25-22, 25-20, 22-25, 18-25, 10-15) but then were tagged with a 3-0 loss to Commonwealth opponent Messiah College (25-18, 25-19, 20-25, 25-18).
Against the Cougars, the Knights had jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the opening game before MU rallied with a five-point run after calling timeout. Misericordia took its first lead at 9-8 on a service ace and later stretched that advantage to 20-15 on a solo block.
The Cougars made it easier on themselves in game two, going on an 8-0 run to take an early 8-2 lead. Arcadia crept back into the game, pulling to within one at 19-18 before two aces and two kills closed out the set with the Cougars winning 25-20.
A kill put Misericordia up 22-20 in the third game, and it appeared that the Cougars might cruise to a fourth-consecutive sweep. But the Knights grabbed the last five points of the game to win it 25-22, and then ran away with game four, a 55-18 win for Arcadia, forcing the Courgars into a tie-breaking fifth set.
This time, the Cougars rebounded in a big way- going on another eight-point run to go up 11-2. Another Cougar kill made it 12-5 before MU grabbed the final kill at 15-10 to clinch the victory.
Leading the way for the Knights against the Cougars were junior Hailey Barger (Sitka, AK/Sitka) with 12 kills, 4 digs, 2 solo blocks and 2 block assists, senior Natasha Wetten (Harrisburg, PA/Central Dauphin East) who added 10 kills and 28 digs, senior Christine DiMichele (Media, PA/Academy of Notre Dame) with a team high 34 digs and junior Erin Ficca (Exton, PA/Bishop Shanahan) with 5 kills, 3 service aces and 21 digs.
Against Messiah, a Commonwealth team the Knights will face at home on Sept. 29 in league play, Arcadia found themselves down 2-0 before pulling out the 25-20 win in game three. The Falcons, who improved to 7-2 on the year with the eventual win, took game four 25-18, tagging the Knights with their third loss of the season (2-3).
Wetten and sohophomore Delaney Dobson led the Knight attack with 8 and 5 kills respectively. Burger also chipped in 5 kills. DiMichele continued her strong play in the back line, with a team-high 30 digs, while first-year Carlee Rossiter contributed 20 assists in the match.
Arcadia will open their Commonwealth schedule this Wednesday evening, September 15th at 7 PM against Lebanon Valley College.
