After getting swept in three sets by Shippensburg University, West Chester took on Kutztown University at home in the friendly confines of Sturzebecker Health Science Center. WCU took the win in this one as they won in four sets (25-18, 10-25, 17-25, 19-25) against a struggling Kutztown team that possesses a 1-9 PSAC record.
Senior Karleigh Lutz led the team in kills with 18, followed by Abbie Dischert with 10. Nicki Yates led the team in aces with three and digs with 26. She also had four assists. Victoria Cruciani led the team with four blocks, a good example set by the captain. Allie Duffy followed her up with three blocks. Yet again, Jillian Grammer led the team in assists with 47. Alex Gleason had three aces and 12 digs on the day. Sophomore Rachel Robb leapt onto the stat sheet as she had nine kills and an assist.
The next day, WCU faced off against East Stroudsburg University. This was the last game of their four-game homestand. West Chester finished their homestand 2-2 as they dropped this game in four sets (25-15, 25-16, 16-25, 29-27). The Lady Rams put up a strong fight in the fourth set, but could not push the game to a fifth set.
Dischert placed first in kills with 16 after placing second in the previous game. Dischert also had an ace and two blocks. Lutz switched spots with her and finished in second with 14 kills. Grammer led the team in aces along with assists with two and 38 respectively. She also had 12 digs. Emily Ahern chipped in with two aces and an assist. Yates led the team with 21 digs, nothing new in that department.
The Lady Rams faced off against Georgian Court, and after the second set closed out the game very strongly in four sets (23-25, 25-21, 25-16, 25-8). WCU’s team hitting percentages in the third and fourth set were a very good .316 and .345.
Lutz led the team in kills with 21, followed by Cruciani with nine and Amy Kovacs with eight. Cruciani also finished with four blocks and an assist. Grammer led the team in aces with four followed by Lutz with two. Grammer also led the team in assists with 48 and added 15 digs. Duffy led the team with five blocks. Yates finished in first place with 23 digs, and also added seven assists. Lutz also chipped in a solid 16 digs.
Three days later, West Chester faced off against Edinboro University of PA. WCU pulled out a victory in two sets to win their second game in a row (25-19, 25-22, 23-25, 25-18). In the game-sealing fourth set, West Chester held Edinboro to a team hitting percentage of -.056.
Dischert, Cruciani and Duffy all had 10 kills in the contest. Once again, Grammer led the team in assists with 41 helpers. Yates led the team in digs with 22, another common occurrence.
The Lady Rams finished the week with a conference record of 9-5, keeping a commanding lead in their division. They travel to Slippery Rock on Saturday, then later in the week they face off against Gannon and Mercyhurst at home.
Tyler Grace is a first-year student majoring in pre-business (ecofinance). They can be reached at TG885739@wcupa.edu.