September 10, 2005
WC Finishes 1-3 at Battlefield Classic
Shorewomen Post Win Over Eastern Mennonite

GETTYSBURG, PA -- The Washington College volleyball team went 1-3 at the Gettysburg Battlefield Classic yesterday and today in Gettysburg, PA. The Shorewomen (4-4) lost to Salisbury in four games and George Fox in three games on Friday and defeated Eastern Mennonite in four games and lost to Messiah in three games on Saturday.

Match Scores
Salisbury 3, Washington 1 (27-30, 30-16, 30-21, 30-26) STATS
George Fox 3, Washington 0 (30-11, 31-29, 30-24) STATS
Washington 3, Eastern Mennonite 1 (30-25, 27-30, 30-24, 30-24) STATS
Messiah 3, Washington 0 (30-27, 30-20, 30-23) STATS

Washington opened play at the Battlefield Classic with a 3-1 loss to Salisbury Friday evening. Washington turned a 20-19 deficit into a 26-20 lead en route to a 30-27 win in game one, but the Sea Gulls evened the match with a 30-16 win in game two. Salisbury then pulled away from Washington to win game three, 30-21. In game four, the Shorewomen held an early 9-3 lead, but the Sea Gulls came away with a 30-26 win. Senior outside hitter Abigail Benson (New London, PA/Avon Grove) tallied 20 digs, nine kills, and four aces for Washington, while freshman setter Arielle Brown (Merion, PA/Lower Merion) added 37 assists and 16 digs. Sophomore outside hitter Katherine O'Brien (Severna Park, MD/Severna Park) contributed 21 digs, six kills, three aces, one solo block, and two assisted blocks, while senior middle hitter Marcie McConville (Westminster, MD/Westminster) finished with eight kills, one solo block, and two assisted blocks.

The Shorewomen's second match on Friday was a 3-0 loss to George Fox. The Bruins cruised to a 30-11 win in game one and held a 22-13 lead in game two before Washington rallied to take a 23-22 lead in the game. George Fox overcame the Shorewomen's 10-0 run, however, to record a 31-29 win in the second game and went on for a 30-24 victory in game three. Brown recorded 22 assists and 11 digs for the Shorewomen in the loss, while Benson added eight kills and 13 digs and O'Brien finished with eight kills and 11 digs.

The Shorewomen opened Saturday's matches with a 30-25, 27-30, 30-24, 30-24 win over Eastern Mennonite. In the pivotal third game of the match, Washington rallied from a 19-14 deficit to close the game on a 16-5 run and take a 2-1 lead in the match. Benson, O'Brien, and Brown each recorded a double-double in the win. Benson finished with 16 kills, 12 digs, and five aces, while O'Brien contributed 14 kills, 12 digs, and two solo blocks. Brown posted a career-high 47 assists along with 19 digs and three aces. McConville and senior outside hitter Lauren Ford (Eldersburg, MD/Liberty) each finished with 10 kills and five digs, while junior middle hitter Nanna Kozemchak (Falls Church, VA/St. Stephen's & St. Agnes) tallied 12 digs and three solo blocks.

Washington's final match of the tournament was a 30-27, 30-20, 30-23 loss to Messiah. Benson had a team-best 12 digs and four aces in the loss, while Ford paced the Shorewomen with seven kills. McConville tallied two solo blocks and Kozemchak contributed 11 digs.

The Shorewomen return to action Saturday with their Centennial Conference opener, a 7:00 p.m. match at Franklin & Marshall.