The West Chester University volleyball team’s roller coaster season continues; the Lady Rams ended a three game losing streak against Lincoln University and East Stroudsburg, but they could not solve Bridgeport or Kutztown.Last Tuesday, the West Chester University Golden Rams volleyball team traveled to take on Lincoln University in a non-league match. The Lady Rams ended their three-game losing streak, beating Lincoln in three straight sets 25-12, 25-16, and 25-8. Michelle Powers posted a season high 17 kills on the night. Helen Fitzpatrick accumulated 22 assists in the three-game sweep of Lincoln University.
Last weekend the WCU volleyball team headed to East Stroudsburg where they faced the Warriors in a league match and Bridgeport University in a non-league match. After falling behind ESU by losing the first match, the Golden Rams came roaring back to take the next three sets to win the PSAC match 3-1 (19-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-20). According to coach Kassie Bellaver the team never got discouraged despite losing the first match.
“The team played well against ESU and they know that it is a five set match so losing the first set did not affect their focus or confidence,” Bellaver said.
Three of West Chester University’s players had double digit kills in the match against the Warriors. Samantha Ingersoll led the team with 11 kills, Lexi Kegersie and Powers each had ten kills apiece. Fitzpatrick had an impressive 38 assists and four digs. Kyra Yost led the team with 12 digs while Nora Jingeleski had 11 digs.
In the night nightcap the Lady Rams took on a strong Bridgeport team. WCU was swept by Bridgeport University 3-0.
“Bridgeport was a tough team and we did not pass well, therefore we were not effective offensively,” Bellaver said.
Powers had a team high nine kills, Fitzpatrick posted 20 assists and nine digs. Captain Lisa Campbell led the team with 19 digs.
Friday night the Rams traveled to Kutztown University where they took on the Golden Bears in a PSAC East match inside Keystone Arena. West Chester was swept by Kutztown 3-0 )25-22, 25-23, and 25-19).
With that loss they fall to 9-6 overall and 1-5 in conference play this season. By defeating the Lady Rams, Kutztown improved their overall record to 8-6. Each of the three games were very close, but in the end Kutztown was able to squeak out a win.
Kelly Martin led WCU in kills on Friday night with eight. Campbell piled up 22 digs; Kyra Yost also contributed with 13 digs of her own. Fitzpatrick, once again steady and consistent, had 29 assists in the loss to Kutztown University.
On Saturday afternoon the West Chester Golden Rams volleyball team played host to underdog Cheyney University. The Lady Rams had their way with Cheyney as they swept them 3-0. In game one WCU dominated Cheyney 25-2. The Rams scored 18 straight points to close out game one.
It was the same story in game two, WCU defeated Cheyney 25-8. Game three was the most competitive game as the score read 25-9. In all three games combined Cheyney only managed to score 19 points, which is not even enough to win a single game.
West Chester also swept Mercy College to improve their record to 11-7 overall.
On Tuesday Oct. 6th the WCU volleyball team will travel to Lakewood, New Jersey to take on Georgian Court at 7 p.m. This weekend WCU has four home games in a row. On Friday Oct. 9th West Chester will host Clarion University at 12 p.m. and Slippery Rock at 7:30 p.m. inside Hollinger Field House. On Saturday Oct. 10th the Rams will also host Indiana (Pa.) at 10 p.m. and California (Pa.) at 3 p.m.
Steven Fisher is a third-year student majoring in communications with a minor in Journalism. He can be reached at SF674180@wcupa.edu.