Travis Marmon
Sports Editor
The Wooster volleyball team improved its record to 9-4 over the weekend, winning three out of four matches at the Carnegie Mellon Invitational in Pittsburgh. The Scots began on Friday against Elmira College. The Soaring Eagles came out strong, fighting valiantly but falling 29-27 in the first set. Wooster easily recovered from its initial struggle, sweeping Elmira by winning the next two sets 25-22 and 25-17.
Devin Grandi ’13 and Erica Skillman ’14 led the attack with 10 kills each, and Paige Parker ’14 hit .375 on her six kills. Kelley Johnson ’13 had 25 digs in the match. Zoe Zwegat ’14 also had two solo blocks and six block assists to lead the defense in the victory.
The Fighting Scots had no trouble disposing of the winless University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg later that night. The Bobcats never stood a chance, losing 25-13, 25-17, 25-15. Melissa Morgan ’13 earned a .471 hitting percentage as she contributed eight kills. Skillman scored nine kills while Parker added six. Autumn Berry ’14 and Rachel Sell ’15 combined for 26 of Wooster’s 33 assists.
On Saturday, the Scots faced a tougher test against the University of Scranton. Although it was the first time they lost a set all weekend, Wooster bested the Royals 25-22, 20-25, 25-20, 22-25, 15-11. Parker dominated the game offensively, earning 21 kills while also contributing 10 digs. Berry set up most of the Scots’ attacks, with 44 of the team’s 52 assists coming from her. Skillman played an important role with 12 kills, four digs and five block assists. Zwegat was in on six of 16 team blocks, while Johnson added 32 digs in the gutsy win.
Unfortunately, Wooster failed to sweep the invitational, as they took on their toughest opponent of the season Saturday night against an undefeated Johns Hopkins University. The first three sets were tight, but Wooster took a 2-1 advantage into the fourth set after going 23-25, 25-23, 25-23. The Blue Jays had their way in set four, winning 25-15 to force a fifth set. Tied 10-10, Johns Hopkins pulled away for a 15-12 victory, winning the match 3-2.
Skillman led the Scots with 16 kills and two block assists, while Parker earned 15 kills while contributing 14 digs. For the second time that day, Berry had 44 of Wooster’s 52 assists. Morgan had the best all-around game, earning nine kills, 22 digs and three block assists. Johnson added 23 digs and four assists.
The Scots began conference play on Tuesday after press time in a road game against Allegheny College. Tonight they host a non-conference game against Case Western Reserve University at 7 p.m. Tomorrow the team will take on rival Wittenberg University as part of homecoming week. The game starts at 1 p.m.
