September 29, 2007
O'Brien and Ward Set School Records
Shorewomen Down Villa Jule; Fall To Catholic

CHESTERTOWN, MD -- Senior outside hitter Katherine O'Brien (Severna Park, MD/Severna Park) set the school record for kills in a match and sophomore setter Caitlin Ward (Wantagh, NY/Holy Trinity) set the all-time school record for assists as Washington College split with Villa Julie and Catholic at the 32nd annual Penny Fall Classic on Saturday at the Cain Athletic Center. The Shorewomen beat Villa Julie, 3-2 (21-30, 30-25, 30-21, 24-30, 15-7), while falling to Catholic, 3-1 (30-22, 27-30, 30-20, 30-19).

O'Brien had 31 kills in the five-game victory over Villa Julie, while Ward achieved her 1,426th assist in the eighth point of the third game versus Catholic to knot the score at 4-4. She got the record-setting assist on an O'Brien kill.

In the opening match, Washington (6-10) won the second and third games to lead 2-1. The Shorewomen lost the fourth game, 30-24, to set up the decisive fifth game. Washington jumped out to an 11-3 lead on Villa Julie (12-6) and won 15-7. A service ace by junior libero Arielle Brown (Merion, PA/Lower Merion) clinched the victory for the Shorewomen.

In the match, O'Brien, in addition to her 31 kills, added 19 digs to tie for the team-high with Brown. Ward tied her career-best in assists with 59, and also added 11 digs. Freshman outside hitter Lauren Feeny (Upper Darby, PA/Villa Maria Academy) added 14 kills. Junior libero Kay May (Stafford, VA/Colonial Forge) had a match-high six service aces.

For the Mustangs, Marissa Bender and Alana Eller each had double-doubles. Bender had a team-high 14 kills, and added 17 digs. Eller had a match-best 21 digs, to go with her 11 kills. Alex Mercer chipped in with 13 kills, while Julie Olson had 17 digs for Villa Jule.

In the final match of the day against Catholic, O'Brien led all players with 28 kills and 19 digs. Brown chipped in with 18 digs, while Feeny pounded 10 kills. Ward led all players with 53 assists in the contest. She now has 1,449 assists in her career, which spans just 42 matches.

For Catholic (11-8), Carey Anne Nassib led the Cardinals with 16 kills, and also added 13 digs. Kilah Fox had 14 kills, while Emily McGlynn had 43 assists and six service aces. Cathleen Carroll had a team-high 16 digs, while Alex Min-Tun added 12 digs.

In the middle match, Catholic swept Villa Jule in three games. Nassib had 15 kills and 15 digs to lead the Cardinals in the victory. For the Mustangs, Danielle Katsampis had a match-high 16 kills.

The Shorewomen, who won their first five-game match since October 16, 2004, return to action on Thursday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m. with a non-onference match at Lancaster Bible.

WC vs. VILLA JULIE MATCH STATS

VILLA JULIE VS CATHOLIC MATCH STATS

WC vs. CATHOLIC MATCH STATS