OWENSBORO, Ky. – Kentucky Wesleyan volleyball (3-14, 0-8 G-MAC) lost to Walsh (11-6, 7-1) in four sets on Friday evening.
Emmy Goering led the Panthers with 15 kills, while
Arielis Hernandez added 13 and
Hadley Wolfe had 12.
Ana De Sevilla-Acosta recorded 25 assists and 14 digs, while
Sophie Spanier posted 16 digs.
Kentucky Wesleyan 1-3 Walsh (25-15, 19-25, 18-25, 14-25)
SET ONE: Kentucky Wesleyan 25-15 Walsh
Kentucky Wesleyan opened the match strong, taking a 6-2 lead after kills from Wolfe and Hernandez and an ace from
Kami Parlin. Walsh pulled within one at 6-5, but the Panthers continued to hold the advantage. Kentucky Wesleyan led 9-8 before a three-point Walsh run gave the visitors a 10-9 lead. The Panthers responded with seven straight points, including kills from Parlin, Hernandez, and Goering, to take a 16-10 advantage. Kentucky Wesleyan maintained control the rest of the way, closing the set on a 5-0 run to win 25-15. The Panthers finished with 19 kills and a .325 hitting percentage.
SET TWO: Kentucky Wesleyan 19-25 Walsh
Walsh took an early 3-1 lead, but Kentucky Wesleyan answered to tie the set at 3-3. The teams remained close throughout the opening portion of the set, with the Panthers taking a 9-7 lead before Walsh responded. Kentucky Wesleyan later pulled even at 11-11 and again at 16-16. The Panthers tied the set once more at 17-17, but Walsh scored three of the next four points and eventually pulled away for a 25-19 victory.
SET THREE: Kentucky Wesleyan 18-25 Walsh
Kentucky Wesleyan started quickly in the third set, taking a 3-1 lead behind kills from Wolfe and Goering. Walsh answered, and the teams remained within a point of each other through a 10-10 tie. Walsh then scored five straight points to take a 15-10 advantage. The Panthers battled back with three consecutive points, cutting the deficit to 15-13, and later pulled within 16-14. Walsh regained control and built a 22-14 lead before Kentucky Wesleyan scored four straight points to make it 22-18. The visitors closed the set, however, with a 25-18 win.
SET FOUR: Kentucky Wesleyan 14-25 Walsh
The Cavaliers jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the fourth set and extended the advantage to 8-3. Kentucky Wesleyan fought back, cutting the deficit to 12-10 following kills from Wolfe and Hernandez and an attack error by Walsh. Walsh then scored seven of the next eight points to take a 19-11 lead. The Panthers continued to battle, but Walsh closed the set 25-14 to take the match in four sets.
UP NEXT
Kentucky Wesleyan volleyball returns to Jones Gym at the Woodward Health and Recreation Center on Saturday, October 10th to take on Malone (4-13, 2-6). First serve is set for 11 a.m. CT.
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