Women’s Volleyball Sweeps Road Trip

Photo Credit / Ronald Hanaki The Warriors get psyched before playing Cheyney last Friday night. Photo Credit / Ronald Hanaki
The Warriors get psyched before playing Cheyney last Friday night.

By Ronald Hanaki
Sports Editor

The Women’s Volleyball team defeated a pair of their PSAC Southeast rivals last Friday and Saturday. The Warriors defeated Cheyney in three sets and West Chester in four sets to improve their record to 13-9 on the season.

Cheyney is 0-18 this season, and the Wolves were clearly overmatched against the Warriors. The Warriors have never lost to the Wolves, and the song remained the same last Friday. Set scores were 25-10, 25-18 and 25-11. With the win, ESU improved to 60-0 against Cheyney.

The big game was last Saturday’s match against West Chester. The Warriors came close to beating the Golden Rams twice last season, but ESU’s last win over West Chester came in 2006.

This time would be different. The Warriors were clearly on a mission and showed tremendous grit as they exorcised their demons to beat the Golden Rams 25-15, 25-16, 16-25 and 29-27.

The Warriors were led by sophomore outside hitter Sarah Smith. Despite having a quiet game against Cheyney, Smith rebounded with an outstanding game against West Chester. Smith had 12 kills, 13 digs and a 0.146 hitting efficiency to lead the Warriors.

Last Tuesday, it was announced that Smith had been named the PSAC Southeast Volleyball Athlete of the Week.

Sophomore middle blocker Jasmine Williams was an offensive force for ESU with 7 kills and 7 assists and an eyepopping 0.385 hitting efficiency.

It was a team effort as sophomore outside hitter Sam Dunphy contributed 9 kills and senior outside hitter Desiree Claxton had 8 kills.

Senior setter Erica Cunningham got everyone involved with 16 assists to lead the Warriors.

Senior libero Rosa Veliky led the defense with 21 digs. Claxton had 13 digs in support of the Warrior D.

ESU (13-9, 4-7) will remain on the road to play Mercyhurst tomorrow night and defending conference champion Gannon on Saturday afternoon.

Email Ronald at:
rhanaki@live.esu.edu