September 10, 2008
Diplomats Bounce Shorewomen, 3-0
Ward dishes out 24 assists

CHESTERTOWN, MD -- Franklin & Marshall College got a double-double of 13 kills and 17 digs from Margot Phelan and 26 assists from Valerie Pusatrei, all match-highs, to lead the Diplomats to a 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-19) victory over host Washington College in a Centennial Conference volleyball match on Wednesday evening at the Cain Athletic Center. It was the conference opener for both squads.

Franklin & Marshall (1-5, 1-0 CC) snapped a 16-16 tie in the opening set by winning nine of the final 10 points. Erica Spangler served four of her match-best five assists during this run. In the second set, the Diplomats again snapped a 16-16 deadlock by winning nine of the final 14 points of the set. F&M took control of the third set after it being tied at 17-17 by winning eight of the final 10 points of the set and match.

For the Diplomats, Pam Horner had 12 digs and nine assists, while Spangler added 10 kills.

Junior setter Caitlin Ward (Wantagh, NY/Holy Trinity) led the Shorewomen with 24 assists in the contest. She is now 24 assists away from 2,000 career helpers. Senior Arielle Brown (Merion, PA/Lower Merion) led Washington with 12 digs, while senior outside hitter Chelsea Crum (Newark, DE/Charter School of Wilmington) added nine digs.

Washington College (4-4, 0-1 CC) returns to action Saturday as they play three matches at the Penn State-Berks Quad Match. The Shorewomen will play Delaware Valley at 11:00 a.m., Arcadia at 1:00 p.m. and host Penn State-Berks at 3:00 p.m.

MATCH STATS