The West Chester University volleyball team opened up their season with three impressive wins over Bloomfield University, Chowan, and Elizabeth City State, but they suffered a close loss to underdog Philadelphia University at the Kutztown tournament.The Golden Rams volleyball team opened their season at home inside Hollinger field house against Bloomfield College Tuesday night. The Golden Rams ran over Bloomfield beating the Deacons 3-0. West Chester made quick work of their opponent by beating Bloomfield 25-18, 25-20, 25-12.
The Golden Rams’ much improved defense played a big part in their win. Head Coach Kassie Bellaver had her team in the right position at all times. “Another key to the defense is having the height at the net. All of our front row players are tall girls who know how to block, and they did well against Bloomfield,” Bellaver said.
One of their best offensive players, junior middle hitter Michelle Powers, led WCU with 13 kills. The newly acquired Helen Fitzpatrick accumulated 26 assists in her first match as member of the West Chester volleyball team. Team captain Lisa Campbell played well defensively, recording 12 digs. Campbell also had four aces in last Tuesday’s win over Bloomfield. “Lisa runs the defense from middle back and she is our best passer” said Bellaver.
On Friday evening The Golden Rams took on Philadelphia University in the final match of the first day at the Kutztown tournament. Philadelphia University defeated WCU 3-2 and improved their winning streak to five games. WCU was favored to win the match, however they fell in five sets 27-25, 20-25, 25-20, 23-25, 15-6.
Michelle Powers once again led her team in offense with 23 kills and contributed on defense by having 6 blocks at the net. Lexi Kegerise had a strong offensive performance recording 13 kills of her own. Helen Fitzpatrick recorded 20 digs, 57 assists and six blocks as well for the Rams. Captain Lisa Campbell led the team in digs with 47 of them in Friday night’s loss to Philadelphia University.
Saturday Morning West Chester continued on in the Kutztown tournament facing off against Elizabeth City State. The Lady Rams beat them convincingly 3-0 by scores of 25-20, 25-15, and 25-21. Leaders for West Chester in that match were Lisa Campbell with 10 digs and Michelle Powers with eight kills.
In their final game of the weekend tourney, the Lady Rams downed Chowan in three easy sets, 25-16, 25-14, and 25-15. Once again, captain Campbell led in the digs category with a whopping 19. Alyssa Brown was the team leader in kills for that game, posting 13.
Helen Fitzpatrick totaled over 50 assists in the Saturday double header.
WCU Volleyball team is now 3-1 after their first week of play. On Friday, Sept. 11th the team will play host to Chestnut Hill at 2 p.m. and later on that night they will take on Seton Hill at 6 p.m. On Saturday, Sept. 12th the squad will challenge Daemen University at 12 p.m. and Wilmington University at 2 p.m. All four games can be seen inside Hollinger Field House located on West Chester’s main campus.
Steven Fisher is a third-year student majoring in communications with a minor in Journalism. He can be reached at SF674180@wcupa.edu.