Women’s Volleyball downed by W&J in four sets

PITTSBURGH --- Carlow University women's volleyball lost a 3-1 home match to Washington & Jefferson College Wednesday night.

The Celtics (4-5) won the first set 25-18 before falling 25-17, 25-16 and 25-20.

The Presidents (6-7) held Carlow to single digit kills in the final three sets.

Alison Humberston (Uniontown, Pa./Laurel Highlands HS) led the Celtics with 13 kills, and Rebecca Hess (New Alexandria, Pa./Greensburg Central Catholic) added 19 digs. Emily Hess (New Alexandria, Pa./River Valley HS) and Sarah Porter (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway HS) combined for 32 assists, and three other Celtics recorded double figure digs in the effort.

Carlow jumped out to a 10-5 advantage in the first set enroute to a 25-18 victory.

W&J led 7-1 to start the second set, prompting a quick timeout from Julie Gaul. A kill from Rebecca Hess and a W&J attacking error saw the Celtics trailing by four.

The Presidents extended their lead to 14-5, but Carlow continued to battle – outscoring W&J 9-5 to trail, 19-14.

Ahead 22-17, Sophie Little put down two kills in a row for the Presidents, and a service ace ended the set 25-17 in favor of W&J.

The Presidents started hot in the third set, leading 10-2. W&J extended its advantage to 13 points after three kills in a row bookended by Carlow attack errors.

Trailing 18-4, the Celtics made a heroic push to bridge the gap, scoring eight unanswered points before a service error ended the run. W&J won the third set, 25-16.

Carlow led the fourth set, 4-1, before a kill from Emma Padovano set off a 7-0 run for the Presidents that gave them an 8-4 advantage.

The Celtics slowly chipped away at the lead, tying the game 11-all after back-to-back kills from Humbertson. Carlow stayed within striking distance of the Presidents, but W&J steadily pulled away to lead, 24-20, before Little landed the final kill.

Little led the Presidents with 12 kills and 15 digs, and W&J tallied eight service aces on the night.

Carlow returns to action with a 7 p.m. game against Chatham University tomorrow.