Center Valley, PA (September 2, 2017) - The DeSales University volleyball team split two matches on day two of its home invitational falling to Washington College (MD), 3-2, before rolling past Baruch College, 3-0, on Saturday afternoon.

Junior Natalie Gray was the lone Bulldog named to the All-Tournament Team averaging 4.07 digs per set for the weekend and leading DSU with seven service aces.

Match #1 (L/2-3 vs. Washington College - MD)
This match was tight throughout each and ever set featuring a total of 34 tie scores and 17 lead changes in five sets.  DSU took the first set 25-22 despite coughing up an 18-13 lead scoring four of the last five points.

The second set featured 16 ties and seven lead changes.  DSU trailed 19-15 before rallying to tie the score at 20.  The Bulldogs took a 23-21 lead on back-to-back hitting errors from WC but dropped the next two points but had a set point at 24-23 after another Washington College attack error.  The Bulldogs had a second set point at 25-24 but a kill from WC's Cassie Kowalski tied the score at 25 and WC scored three of the next four points to take set two, 28-26.

DSU had control of the third set as well leading 18-13 and 22-18 late before Washington College stormed back to win the last seven points to win 25-22.

The Bulldogs forced a fifth set with its best performance of the day in the fourth set out-lasting WC, 25-19, but in the fifth set tied at seven, Washington College won seven of the next eight points to take a 14-8 lead.  DSU rallied winning five straight to make it 14-13, but WC won a broken point to earn the 15-13 victory and five set win.

Junior Gabby Savite` led the offensive charge with 20 kills and added 17 digs.  Gray finished with 23 digs and sophomore Taylor Aron played well with 13 digs and three aces.  Freshman Grace Merritt was outstanding off the bench with 13 kills and a .458 hitting percentage, while sophomore Morghan Shoemaker finished with 12 kills and freshman Madison Felty added 10 kills and five blocks.  Freshman Julia Bradford added 52 assists in the loss.

Match #2 (W/3-0 vs. Baruch College)
DSU rolled past Baruch in the second match of the day hitting .403 as a team and serving up 17 service aces.

Merritt and fellow freshman Noel Kelly each led the way with seven kills, while Savite` and Felty had five each.  Sophomore Cristal Fernandez totaled six digs, while sophomore Jess Smith and senior Bernadette Wood each had five aces.  Bradford added three aces and dished out 29 assists.

The Bulldogs are back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Moravian College for a non-conference match beginning at 7:00 pm.