WASHINGTON CO., Pa. – La Roche volleyball returned to the court for a tri-match on Saturday. In game one, the Redhawks were unable to win a rematch against Franciscan, falling 3-0, then in game two against host Washington & Jefferson, fell to the Presidents, 3-0.
GAME ONE: Franciscan 3 La Roche 0
The open set finished with a score of 25-19 in favor of the Barons.
Despite a close match early, with the score reading 9-8 in favor of Franciscan, the Barons would utilize three separate 5-1 runs to build upon its lead to take the set.
Set two was much different, as it was Franciscan coasting to a victory, taking the set 25-13.
The final set was the closest in terms of the score, with the Barons taking the set 25-23.
Despite falling behind 7-3 early, the Redhawks fought back and took the lead, 10-9 and held that lead up until the score read 20-19.
From there, Franciscan used a 3-0 run to lead 22-20, countered by a La Roche 3-0 run to regain a 23-22 lead, but it was the Barons scoring the final three points to win the match.
In game one, senior Rory McCune and junior Quinn Hughes led the offense with six kills each, while senior Emily Kasun had 10 assists.
Defensively, senior Mackenzie Kerkan led the charge with 12 digs followed by fellow senior Morgan Johnson's eight.
GAME 2: Washington & Jefferson 3 La Roche 0
In the second match against the host Presidents, La Roche was unable to get out of the box fast, as W&J opened an early 7-3 lead.
The Redhawks were able to come within a point at 10-9, but an 8-1 Presidents run opened the door for a first set final of 25-18.
Set two was very even early, as the score read 8-8 as the teams went back and forth.
From that point, W&J would outscore La Roche 10-4 and took a lead of 18-12 just past the midway point.
Out of a timeout, the Redhawks scored six of the next eight points to cut the deficit to 20-18, but the Presidents would hold on to take the second set 25-21.
Set three saw W&J again jump ahead with an 8-3 lead, but again La Roche chipped away to score seven of the next 10 to make it 11-10.
The lead stuck at one point, at 16-15, but the Presidents would go on a 5-1 run to lead 21-16, forcing the Redhawks to call a timeout.
Out of the late timeout, W&J would hold the score steady and go on to finish the match with a 25-19 victory.
In match two, sophomore Kalli Grine and freshman Audrey Work led the way with five kills each, while Kasun and fellow senior Madison Johnson each had nine assists.
Defensively, Kerkan added 14 digs, while Madison Johnson secured 11, falling just an assist shy of a double-double.
La Roche now sets its sights on AMCC play as they meet Mt. Aloysius on Tuesday, Oct. 3 in a 6 p.m. road match.