OWENSBORO, Ky. – Kentucky Wesleyan volleyball (4-14, 1-8 G-MAC) completed a four-set comeback against Malone (4-14, 2-7 G-MAC) on Saturday afternoon in Jones Gym to win 3-1.
Arielis Hernandez led Kentucky Wesleyan with 18 kills, while
Hadley Wolfe added 11 kills without an attack error.
Kami Parlin and
Ella Thomas contributed nine kills apiece.
Sophie Spanier paced the defense with 16 digs, while
Ana De Sevilla-Acosta recorded 28 assists. The Panthers finished with 60 kills and 71 digs as a team.
Kentucky Wesleyan 3-1 Walsh (17-25, 26-24, 25-21, 25-16)
SET ONE: Kentucky Wesleyan 17-25 Malone
Kentucky Wesleyan opened the match with an early lead, using kills from Hernandez and Wolfe to move ahead 5-1. Malone responded with a run of its own, tying the set at five before the teams traded points through the middle stages. The Panthers briefly regained control and built an 11-7 advantage, but Malone answered with a strong stretch to take the lead. The visitors pulled away late, using Kentucky Wesleyan attack errors and timely kills to close the set on top, 25-17.
SET TWO: Kentucky Wesleyan 26-24 Malone
The Panthers answered with a back-and-forth second set that featured 10 ties and seven lead changes. Neither team managed to build much separation, and Kentucky Wesleyan found itself trailing 23-21 late. The Panthers rallied to tie the score at 23, but the Pioneers earned the next point to move within one point of taking a two-set lead. Hernandez delivered a kill to even the set at 24, setting up a crucial finish. Parlin followed with a service ace before Thomas put away the final point with a kill, giving Kentucky Wesleyan a 26-24 win and leveling the match.
SET THREE: Kentucky Wesleyan 25-21 Malone
Malone came out of the break with momentum, opening the third set with a 3-0 lead. Kentucky Wesleyan quickly responded, with Parlin delivering back-to-back service aces to help even the score at three. The teams continued to trade points, and Malone later built an 8-5 advantage. The Panthers turned the set around with a sustained run, capitalizing on Malone errors and getting key kills from Thomas to move in front 11-8. Kentucky Wesleyan maintained the advantage through the middle of the set, with Hernandez, Wolfe, and Thomas contributing important points as the Panthers stretched the lead. Malone made a late push, cutting into the deficit, but Hernandez delivered the closing kill to secure a 25-21 victory and put Kentucky Wesleyan ahead 2-1.
SET FOUR: Kentucky Wesleyan 25-16 Malone
The Panthers took control in the fourth set after a competitive start. With the score tied at seven, Kentucky Wesleyan rattled off seven consecutive points to open up a 14-7 lead. The run featured a service ace from
Layla McAuliffe, kills from Wolfe and Parlin, and a Malone attack error. The Panthers continued to apply pressure, getting contributions throughout the lineup as the advantage grew. Malone was unable to mount another sustained rally, and Kentucky Wesleyan maintained its cushion to close out the set 25-16 and complete the comeback victory.
UP NEXT
Kentucky Wesleyan volleyball takes part in the annual Midwest Conference Crossover. The schedule and game times are to be announced. Stay tuned to kwcpanthers.com for updates.
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