JWU Women’s Volleyball Upended By Bowdoin In NCAA Tournament First Round
Johnson & Wales fell to Bowdoin on Friday afternoon in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, 3-1.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Courtesy of JWU Athletics Communications
Cambridge, Mass. - The Johnson & Wales Women's Volleyball team fell to the Bowdoin Polar Bears on Friday afternoon in the first round of the NCAA Tournament 3-1. The loss ends the season for the Wildcats, who finish with a 20-10 overall record and as Great Northeast Athletic Conference champions.
The first set saw the teams split early points, with the game knotted at 15-15 after 30 points were scored. An ace by Mia Sadler (Queen Creek, Ariz.) gave the Wildcats a one-point advantage. Extending their lead to 20-16, the Wildcats never looked back. Two kills from Peyton Oliver (Ramsey, N.J.) and one from Masina Tupea (Aeia, Hi.) led the Wildcats to a first set victory at 25-20, taking a 1-0 lead in the match.
The second set saw Bowdoin bounce back to tie the match at 1-0. Bowdoin took a 7-6 advantage on an ace from Cori Gray, and the Polar Bears maintained their lead throughout the remainder of the set. JWU was not able to get back on track, eventually falling 25-17 on a pair of aces by the Polar Bears.
The third set saw both teams play to an early deadlock, with the score knotted at 11 after 22 points were scored. A 6-1 run by the Polar Bears awarded them a 17-12 advantage, which they were able to hold onto. JWU pushed the Polar Bears in the closing moments of the set with kills from Kyra Hissner(Clinton, N.J.) and Tiah Scott (Medford, Mass.), but were unable to overcome the deficit. The Wildcats dropped the frame 25-19, falling behind 2-1 in the match.
The fourth set saw Bowdoin take an early lead, and they were ale to extend the advantage to five at 18-13. The Wildcats battled back, staving off three match points at 24-20, 24-21, and 24-22, cutting the Polar Bear advantage to one at 24-23, forcing a timeout by the NESCAC school. Elisabeth Elbrecht's (Owings, Md.) kill at 24-21 was vital in the run. JWU was unable to find the game tying point to force extra points in the set, falling 25-23 and 3-1 in the match.
The GNAC chamions season ends with a 20-10 record overall and 11-2 in conference play. JWU defeated the #2 and #1 seed on the road to earn the conference title.
Post Match Interview with Head Coach Nancy Somera, Peyton Oliver, and Tiah Scott