OCTOBER 4, 2016

KING'S VOLLEYBALL RALLIES FROM 2-0 DEFICIT TO DEFEAT WILKES 3-2 IN PIVOTAL FREEDOM CONFERENCE MATCHUP

WILKES-BARRE -- In a matchup that felt more like a championship game than a regular-season contest, the visiting King's College women's volleyball team rallied from a 2-0 deficit in sets to post a thrilling 3-2 comeback over cross town rival Wilkes University Tuesday night in the Marts Center.

The Lady Monarchs won by scores of 12-25, 17-25, 25-15, 25-16, 15-13. King's also kept its Freedom Conference Tournament hopes alive, improving to 13-6 overall and 2-2 in league play. Wilkes, meanwhile, slipped to 8-12 and 1-3.

There were several elements that helped create a playoff atmosphere in the Marts Center. Both teams were playing a "Dig Pink" game to raise money for cancer and each squad donned pink uniform tops to commemorate the occasion. 

Wilkes also broke out a near 30-piece pep band which played enthusiastically throughout the contest. Factor in the proximity of the schools, located three blocks from one another in downtown Wilkes-Barre, and the rivalry alone was cause for excitement.

Wilkes came out of the gates and dominated the first set 25-12 to take a 1-0 lead. King's played better the second set but Wilkes continued to control play to win by either points and build a 2-0 lead in sets.

King's, however, would not fold and foiled the home crowd's hopes of an early celebration by winning the next two sets to send the match to a deciding fifth set.

The Lady Monarchs raced out to a 8-4 lead at he change after kill from Katelyn Shifflett. The teams traded points and King's still maintained a four-point advantage after a Rachel Miller kill.

Wilkes used a 6-1 run to take a 13-12 lead, but Julie Kollar registered a kill of her own to knot the score at 13-13.  From there, Nicole McQuillan spiked the ball to the floor and Maureen Kloap put away a pass from Kollar to end the match and give King's a thrilling road victory.

Kollar had a big night all around with 13 kills, 12 digs, five assists, and three service aces. Miller followed with 12 kills and 12 digs while Kloap tallied 12 kills, 11 digs, and two blocks. Shifflett also made a hefty contribution with eight kills, three service aces, and three blocks.  Maddie Kumm dished out 39 assists with 16 digs while Kristen Bohnenblush posted 15 digs. McQuillan chipped in with four kills and two digs.

Jamey Mikovich led Wilkes with 11 kills while Alexis Morgan added 31 assists.

King's will now compete in the Neumann University Invitational Tournament Friday and Saturday in Aston.