The West Chester Golden Rams volleyball team got back on track with dominating wins over Cheyney, Holy Family and rival Kutztown last week. West Chester ended a personal three-game skid with the win over Cheyney University last Tuesday night. The Golden Rams won their first PSAC game of the season in a 3-0 sweep inside Hollinger Field House. Freshman Jamie Hughes registered a career-high six kills along with freshman Chelsea Clemens who posted five kills.
The Lady Rams dominated the game from the opening serve. WCU registered 26 service aces which was led primarily by Dana Markol’s nine and Dylan Keli’s seven. Hannah Sweitzer posted a career-best 14 assists in last Tuesday’s win over Cheyney. West Chester posted an astounding hitting percentage of 53.3 percent for the match.
The Golden Rams were able to string two consecutive wins together after beating Holy Family 3-1 in a non-league women’s volleyball contest last Wednesday night. The Lady Rams won by scores of 21-25, 25-22, 25-16, and 25-13. After recording a negative hitting percentage in game one which resulted in a 21-25 opening match loss, West Chester rebounded with a firm performance against Holy Family and was able to sweep the next three games.
“The team played well last night against Holy Family. We are right where we need to be as far as getting better every time we step on the court. We aim to make progress everyday so that we peak towards the end of the season going into playoffs,” coach Kassie Bellaver said.
West Chester’s twin towers in the middle, Michelle Powers and Kelly Martin, each recorded 12 kills. Martin contributed defensively with five blocks as well. Libero Lisa Campbell registered 25 digs to lead WCU past Holy Family. Outside hitter Lexi Kegerise posted eight kills for the Golden Rams. Helen Fitzpatrick registered 35 assists and four blocks. Nora Jingeleski and Markol each had 10 digs in the match, and Tyler Shaefer posted 13 digs for WCU.
Last Saturday the Lady Rams went into Kutztown and swept the Golden Bears 3-0. Kutztown’s offense was sluggish through most of the three games; a large part was due to West Chester’s stellar defense. Kutztown averages 10 kills per set this year, however they finished below that average in each of its sets (6, 7, 9).
WCU held Kutztown to 22 total kills, 18 assists, and 31 total points. The Golden Rams won by scores of 25-17, 15-15, and 15-16. This was a pivotal match to win, dropping Kutztown to 12-4 overall and 2-4 in the PSAC East.
WCU’s record is at 10-3 overall and 2-3 in the PSAC Conference. With three consecutive wins, the team is hitting on all cylinders.
“You can’t have a good hit without a good set and you can’t have a good set without a good pass. When we win or lose we do it as a team, that’s just the way volleyball is,” Powers said.
West Chester is back in action this week with a non-league match on Tuesday Sept. 28 against Shepherd University. The Lady Rams will travel to Shepherdstown, W. Va. Game time starts at 6 p.m. This weekend the Golden Rams will play in two important matches. “We need to set the tone this weekend and play at our pace,” Bellaver said.
Next, WCU will travel to East Stroudsburg on Oct. 1, game time set for 4 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 2, at 1 p.m. WCU will attempt to take down Lock Haven, who is the perennial powerhouse in the PSAC East.
Steven Fisher is a fourth-year student majoring in communications with a minor in journalism. He can be reached at SF674180@wcupa.edu.