Dallas, PA (October 21, 2014) – The DeSales University volleyball team totaled 14 team blocks and erased a 12-8 deficit in the fifth set to earn an 18-16 win in the fifth set and a 3-2 win over Misericordia University to take sole possession of second place in the Freedom Conference on Tuesday evening at the Ferguson Recreation Center.
The Bulldogs (20-7, 5-1 Freedom) win 20+ games in a season for the 15
th time in team history and the fifth time under head coach
Michele Zabinski. Heading into the final week of the season the Bulldogs hold the tiebreaker for the #2 seed in the Freedom Conference tournament and a home playoff match with the win tonight at Misericordia, who is also 5-1. The Bulldogs just need a win over FDU-Florham next week or a loss by the Cougars vs. Eastern University to clinch that #2 spot and host at least one home playoff match.
After dropping the first set, 25-21, DSU battled from behind in both the second and third sets to earn 25-20 and 25-22 wins. Misericordia led the entire way in the fourth set and forced a fifth set with a 25-16 fourth set win.
DSU started strong in the fifth set opening up an 8-5 lead as the two teams switched sides of the court but the Cougars scored the next seven points to take a 12-8 lead. The Bulldogs countered with five straight points to take a 13-12 lead and the two teams seesawed back and forth until the match was tied at 16 when DSU scored two straight to earn an 18-16 win clinching the match. DSU fought off two match points at 14-13 and 15-14 to earn the win.
Senior
Julie Blessing led the attack with 15 kills and added four blocks. Senior
Chrissy Banos had 10 kills and a team-high seven blocks, while freshman
Logan Wieziolowski finished with nine kills and six blocks. Senior
Brooke Horrigan added seven kills with a .333 hitting percentage and four blocks and freshman
Sienna Heist totaled seven kills and eight digs.
Sophomore
Lisa Wallitsch played well totaling six kills for a .545 hitting percentage, 41 assists, three aces, a team-high 22 digs, and three blocks. Senior
Amanda Walltisch finished with 16 digs and junior
Lizzi Levis played well with 15 digs.
The Bulldogs return to action on Friday when they host Susquehanna University beginning at 7:00 pm.