Chatham Volleyball Wins First Ever PAC Match in Sweep of Jackets
The women’s volleyball team lost its first match of its tri-match Wednesday, Sept. 21. The Jackets were swept by Chatham University, handing the Cougars the program’s first ever win in Presidents’ Athletic Conference play.
The Yellow Jackets now stand at 0-13 on the season and 0-7 in PAC play.
The Cougars 25-22 swept Waynesburg, 25-20 and 25-16. The Jackets then took on Geneva and were swept 25-13, 25-12 and 25-8.
“We are 0-13. There is a lot we need to work on,” said head coach Stephanie Benkowski
Benkowski said the team morale, for the most part, is still positive.
“Most of the team [is staying positive],” Benkowski said. “I think there’s a few that are sour eggs now, but the rest of the team are still pulling through.”
In the first match, freshman outside hitter Jordan Wyllie led the Jackets with 10 kills, while sophomore setter Sydni Ayers had 19 assists and 12 digs. Defensive specialist Alyssa Proper led the Jacket defense with 13 digs.
In the match, the Jackets committed six more errors than Chatham, 19-13, while also losing the kills category 36-26.
In the second match, the Jackets had three players tie with four kills each. Freshman outside hitter Addie Barr, Wyllie and senior right side hitter Shannon Morgan. Sophomore setter Sydni Ayers also led the Jackets with 12 assists and eight digs.
The Jackets committed 20 errors against Geneva, being aced 11 times and having a -.037 hitting percentage
Benkowski said she was not happy with her starting lineup, so she made a change, and although it did not affect the score Benkowski said the second line up was a spark of energy.
When the Tornadoes would go on five- or six-point runs, coach Benkowski decided to hold her timeouts.
“It wasn’t going to make a difference,” Benkowski said. “It’s the honest truth; I’ve been repeating myself – the same exact things. You can call a timeout or not call a timeout; they still have to be able to play.”
The Jackets continue their season today, Friday, Sept. 23, when they take on the La Roche College Redhawks at home.