Wilkes-Barre, PA (October 11, 2017) - The DeSales University battled for a 3-1 (25-18, 25-27, 28-26, 25-16) win at Wilkes University clinching a MAC Freedom postseason tournament berth staying unbeaten in conference play this season.

The Bulldogs (15-5, 5-0 MAC Freedom) have now won five straight matches and clinch a spot in the MAC Freedom postseason tournament for the 15th time in team history and for the 11th consecutive season.  DSU has two matches left in the regular season in MAC Freedom play at Manhattanville and hosting King's College.

DSU had to battle for its fifth straight win on Wednesday, playing without its freshman setter, Julia Bradford (Mertztown, PA), for the first time this season.

After easily winning the first set, 25-18, DSU trailed 23-18 in the second set before winning seven of the next eight points to hold a set point leading 25-24.  WIlkes however countered with three straight points to take the second set, 27-25.

The fourth set was another battle.  DSU faced a set point at 24-23 and 25-24 but fought it off each time and earned the win on its second set point of the match on a Colonel error and cruised in the fifth set opening up a 22-9 lead before holding on for a 25-16 fourth set win.

DeSales hit .156 for the match but played terrific defense recording 99 digs, led by 33 from junior Natalie Gray (Aston, PA), and collected 10 team blocks, including seven from junior Taylor Antoniewicz (Cranford, NJ).  

Freshman Noel Kelly (Saylorsburg, PA) led the attack with 13 kills, hitting .220, while Antoniewicz added seven kills to her seven blocks, hitting .353.  Junior Gabby Savite` (Hackettstown, NJ) recorded her 15th double-double of the season with 10 kills and 21 digs, sophomore Morghan Shoemaker (Allentown, PA) added nine kills and three blocks, and freshman Grace Merritt (Newark, DE) had seven kills.

Sophomore Jess Smith (Bethlehem, PA) filled in at setter and did a nice job, distributing 38 assists and picking up 13 digs in the win.

The Bulldogs are back in action on Friday night when they host Clarkson University in a non-conference match beginning at 7:00 pm.