West Chester University volleyball team swept all four matches at Ram Fest last weekend to push their win streak to six games; however, they dropped both matches against Edinboro and Mercyhurst at the PSAC West Crossover.On Sept. 11 the Lady Rams held a two-day tournament inside Hollinger Field House where they beat both Chestnut Hill and Seton Hill by the same 3-0 score. Captain Lisa Campbell led the charge for WCU as she piled up 14 digs and five aces. Michelle Powers and Brooke Foskey each had a team leading seven kills against Chestnut Hill. Helen Fitzpatrick also contributed to the win, accumulating 26 assists. Chestnut Hill’s volleyball team has struggled this year and their record of 2-3 reflects their poor play.
Later that night WCU unleashed their powerful offense against Seton Hill who seemed to have no answer for Powers and Lexi Kegerise. Powers had 12 kills while Kegerise put up 11 kills. Foskey also had an impressive game with 10 kills of her own. Fitzpatrick had 36 assists and Campbell recorded 17 digs in the win.
Last Saturday on Sept. 12 the West Chester University volleyball team plowed their way through both Daemen College and Wilmington (Del.) University. The Lady Rams beat Daemen 3-0 and Wilmington 3-1 to remain perfect at Ram Fest and improve their win streak to a season long six games.
Powers once again led the offensive charge against Daemen and Wilmington recording 12 kills in game one, and another 10 kills in game two. Kegerise had a game-high 15 big slams against Wilmington, and Fitzpatrick had 35 assists in game two of the contest, to go along with her 26 assists and 10 digs against Daemen in game one. Campbell, Kyra Yost and Nora Jingeleski combined for 36 digs on the day.
In the first day of the PSAC West Crossover WCU faced a tough Edinboro team. Edinboro beat up on the Rams, as they extinguished their six game win streak in just three sets on Friday Sept. 18. The Rams lost their sets 25-20, 25-13, and 25-20. Edinboro had a good game plan to neutralize Powers, WCU’s best offensive player. Powers only managed one kill in their defeat by Edinboro. Foskey led the team with four kills, and Fitzpatrick collected eight assists and five digs. Campbell tied for the team lead in digs with five.
In game two of the PSAC West Crossover WCU battled another respectable opponent in Mercyhurst. WCU volleyball team dropped three out of four to Mercyhurst, 27-25, 28-26, 23-25, and 25-21. After this loss the Golden Rams went from a six game win streak to their first losing streak of the young season. Kegerise and Foskey both had 13 kills in Friday night’s loss to Merychurst. Fitzpatrick put up 36 assists and Campbell posted 23 digs. Despite losing the match Morgan Litek recorded 11 kills against Mercyhurst as well.
West Chester University Volleyball team now has a record of 7-3. The team currently is number one in the PSAC in hitting percentage and blocks. WCU is still one of the top teams and has the potential to take out any opponent in their division.
West Chester University will look to get back in the win column on Tuesday as they travel to Lincoln University to take on the Lions at a 6 p.m. start. On Friday the Lady Rams will again travel to Lock Haven for a 7 p.m. start. On Saturday they get back on the road and take a trip to ESU where they will clash with East Stroudsburg at 12 p.m. and Bridgeport at 2 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.