Box Score
Kentucky Wesleyan rallied to defeat Notre Dame College in Euclid, Ohio on Thursday afternoon. The Panthers dropped the first set 25-14, but won the next three sets, 25-18, 25-23, 25-18. With the victory, Kentucky Wesleyan improves to 8-11 on the year.
The Panthers hit a rough patch in the opening set, and fell behind early 12-5. Kentucky Wesleyan continued to struggle, and the margin slipped to 20-7 before the Falcons won the set.
KWC came alive in the second set, and jumped out to a 7-2 advantage. The Panthers kept their hot start to the set going, and won three consecutive points off of kills from Mallory Sacre, Jaylen McEwen, and Sierra Morrow to extend the lead out to 19-11. The Panthers kept rolling, and took care of business 25-18 in the second.
The third set was back and forth right from the start. After being knotted up at 10-10, Kentucky Wesleyan spurted out to a 15-12 advantage. The Falcons rallied and closed the gap and evened things up at 20 all. The Panthers clung on to a 24-23 lead, and Jaylen McEwen finished off the set with a game-winning kill.
Kentucky Wesleyan dominated the opening portion of the fourth set. The Panthers opened out to an 11-4 lead after a kill at the net from Elizabeth Gober. Notre Dame College would win the next nine points to re-take the lead at 13-11. KWC responded and broke out to an 18-14 lead, putting the Falcons on the ropes. The Panthers increased their lead to 23-17, and Sierra Morrow closed out the match on the final point with a kill.
Freshman Jaylen McEwen ripped off a career-high 13 kills in the contest. Mallory Sacre also had a big match with 12 kills. Nicole Venema registered 18 digs, and Kylie Foster issued a team-high 27 assists. Foster posted two blocks, while Sierra Morrow produced a team-high three blocks in the match.
The Panthers will return to Owensboro, where they will have a few days of rest before returning to action. KWC will host Davis & Elkins next Friday evening at Jones Gym. The match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.
