By Natalie Hanna · Staff Writer
Grove City College women’s volleyball team secured two wins at home during their tri-match with Chatham and Messiah on Oct. 25, bringing them to a record of 15-6 and a PAC record of 7-5.
Prior to the first match, the team honored seniors Bella Costa, Lila Stonehouse and Brooklyn Wirebaugh as part of their senior day celebration.
Grove City started off the day with a 25-19, 18-25, 25-22, 25-19 win over PAC South Division leader Chatham and followed the victory with another against Messiah, 25-9, 25-21, 25-15.
Junior Sarah Hart led the offensive drive in the opener with 11 kills, closely followed by classmates Kendra Klusch and Alayna Dorst, who added 10 kills each, and Lily Lagaras, who tallied eight. Also contributing to the offensive efforts were junior Sarah Harris, who chalked up 20 assists and Wirebaugh, who added 16. Freshman Lily Wojtala and Costa had four and one assists, respectively.
Wojtala led the defensive front by recording 16 digs, followed by Wirebaugh’s 12. Harris and Dorst each tallied 10 digs, while Klusch, Stonehouse and sophomore Lilly Pool supported the defense with six blocks at the net each. Costa and Harris each totaled two aces.
“We were connecting really well, especially setters with hitters, and were very unified on the court. I am so proud of how we played and hope we will be able to continue this performance level through the rest of our season,” Hart said.
According to Costa, the team clicked well, which resulted in a confident and energetic atmosphere.
“Each girl did (her) job well while also adding (her) own unique touch to better every ball,” Costa said.
In the match against Messiah, Hart posted 15 kills, with Klusch contributing six and Lagaras and Dorst each recording another five. Sophomore Brooke Manfull tallied seven assists in addition to Harris’ 15 assists. Wojtala set five assists and Dorst pitched in with one.
Manfull served a career-high five aces, with Costa and Dorst tallying two aces each. Dorst locked down the back row with 10 digs, and Wojtala also supported the defense with seven digs. Costa and Hart totaled five digs each.
Both the offensive and defensive lines stood strong and worked hard to battle against the competition, allowing the Wolverines to secure their second win of the day.
“Winning both games on senior day was an extra gift. The whole day was blessed, and I’m so proud of how far the team has come this season. But whether we won or lost, playing with that group of women is a gift in itself,” Costa said.
Hart said one of the things the team did really well in both games was “keeping the urgency to win even if we were up by a lot in a certain set.”
“We never held back or took our foot off the gas, which allowed us to keep the momentum the whole time, even after we lost the one set against Chatham,” Hart said.
“Our team has become so much scrappier throughout the season, and I think it really showed in both games. We are learning to abandon a perfectionist mindset and embrace the chaotic side of volleyball that allows us to make crazy and unexpected plays that earn points and give us a boost of momentum,” Costa added.
After hosting PAC rival Westminster this past Wednesday, the Wolverines will travel to Steubenville, Ohio Saturday to take on the Franciscan Barons.
