OWENSBORO, KY. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College volleyball teamed continued to torment Great Midwest Athletic Conference opponents on Tuesday night. In the penultimate home contest of the 2022 season, the Panthers fell to Trevecca Nazarene in five sets.
The Panthers (6-19, 2-8 GMAC) fell in five sets for the second time in three matches. Wesleyan took the opening two sets 25-21 and 25-16 before the Trojans (17-10, 8-5 GMAC) won the final three sets to claim victory.
Olivia Patton boosted the Panthers' offense as they won eight of the first 11 points of the match. The Trojans made a comeback as they led 15-11 before an offensive explosion by the Panthers. Wesleyan won six straight points and 10 of 11 to take a 21-16 lead.
Danielle Nelson recorded two aces in the run while
Hallie McGuire notched three kills.
Wesleyan coasted to the early lead and the momentum did not stop there as they turned a 10-9 deficit in the second frame into a 18-10 lead by scoring nine unanswered points. Patton recorded four kills in the rally as the Panthers went on to win the second set 25-16.
The Trojans narrowed the gap in the third as they won the frame 25-15. The Panthers raced out to a 6-1 lead in the fourth and held 18-14 led late. However, it was the Trojans turn to grab momentum as they won six straight points to pull ahead 20-18. Wesleyan tied the set at 22 as the two team exchanged points to the finish with TNU forcing a fifth set after a 27-25 win.
Just about everything went right for the Trojans in the final set as a 3-2 deficit turned into a 9-3 lead. The run prevented the Panthers from making a comeback as they fell 15-10.
Patton finished with 21 kills on 54 attempts, holding a .354 attacking percentage. McGuire added 12 kills while
Diana Wesolosky finished with 10 kills.
Ava Rebarchik collected five block assists and one block to go along with five kills.
Karrah Cron dished out 32 assists.
The Panthers will host Great Midwest newcomer Northwood on Saturday afternoon. The match is scheduled to start at 1 PM.
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