Women’s volleyball gets spiked, loses three games this week

After sweeping both matches last weekend, the West Chester University women’s volleyball team failed to claim a victory in three matches this week.
 On last Friday, the Lady Rams took on division rival Kutztown University where the match went a full five sets and resulted in a West Chester victory (25-18, 23-25, 19-25, 25-18, 15-10). The match saw three of the Lady Rams come through with dominating performances in the pressure filled five set thriller. Julie O’Brien set a personal season high in kills with 18, along with adding seven blocks and two aces. Marina Sharkey continued her elevated play by contributing 12 kills as well as two blocks. In an all around outstanding match, Samantha Agostini contributed to the offense both as a playmaker and a scorer. From the setter position she contributed 25 assists, 10 kills, and six blocks.
 After going a full five sets with Kutztown, the Golden Rams returned Saturday to sweep East Stroudsburg University in three sets (25- 21, 25-22, 25-21). Even though each set was closely contested, WCU only relinquished the lead once in the second set. O’Brien and Sharkey led the offense again for the Lady Rams recording 10 and nine kills respectively. Callie Krajcir provided the team with defensive support, adding 13 defensive digs in the victory.
In their one road match of the week, WCU traveled to Shepherd University in West Virginia where they lost in four sets. O’Brien and Sharkey were not at the top of their game, which may have contributed to the loss but it also gave the opportunity for Tyler Sheafer to step in and lead the offense. Sheafer contributed a team-leading nine kills, as well as adding one ace and one block. Tori Hutchinson led the team in assists with 18 but could not help spark the offense.
In two matches this weekend against PSAC opponents, West Chester failed to claim a victory in either contest dropping them farther down in the standings. On Friday they lost to Millersville in four sets (23-25, 25-20, 21-25, 19-15) and in five sets (18-25, 25-7, 13-25, 25-13, 11-15) to first place Shippensburg on Saturday. The upcoming week will be make or break for West Chester’s playoff hopes with their final three home matches against Cheyney, Lock Haven, and University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.
Following these final three home games, the Lady Rams will play their final two games of the season away at East Stroudsburg University and Kutztown University. Not wanting a losing record associated with this season, the Lady Rams will look to get back to their winning ways and finish the season strong.
Stephen Gallo is a fourth-year student majoring in communication studies. He can be reached at SG 749536@wcupa.edu