WILKES-BARRE, PA (October 15, 2024) -- The King's College women's volleyball team fell to the Cougars of Misericordia 3-0 on Tuesday night in McGrane Gymnasium. The Monarchs are now 14-6 overall and 0-4 in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom play, while the Cougars are 19-4 overall and 2-2 in conference.
 
Misericordia was in control for much of the first set. The score was in the Cougars' favor at 20-9 when King's exploded with a 4-0 jolt that included back-to-back kills by Mia Campanile (Jr.). Though the visitors came back with three straight points, the Monarchs responded again with a 4-1 run that comprised of kills by Campanile, Emma Bolich (So.), and Riley McArdle (Fy.) to make the score 24-17. Ultimately, Misericordia made the final kill to take the first set 25-17.
 
The second set was unlike the first with eight ties and five lead changes. The teams were trading points throughout the matchup and continued to stay on each other's heels. King's were ahead 13-12 when the Cougars created a three-point swing to take the lead. From then on Misericordia had the momentum, but the Monarchs were not going down without a fight and pestered their visitors. After a timeout, King's made a 6-3 burst thanks to Jessica Menze (Fy.), Kathy Shepherd (Jr.), and Bella Salvia (Jr.) to get within two. Misericordia would remain victorious after a kill by Cassandra Genduso (So.), 25-22.  
 
The Cougars maintained their momentum in the third set. The Monarchs were down 16-6 when they made a 6-2 jolt that included two kills by Shepherd. Though the visitors had every answer and controlled match from then on. The Monarchs lost 25-13 in the third and final set.
 
King's finished with 27 kills, 25 assists, four blocks, and 35 digs. Theresa Lynch (Jr.), Menze, and Campanile had five kills each for the night. Bolich added three kills and three blocks to the stat sheet. Keely Hoban (Sr.) set a standard of 21 assists and six digs. McArdle led the team with eight digs while also having three kills. Morgan Williams (Jr.) was right behind with her own seven digs.
 
Misericordia ended with 42 kills, 41 assists, 10 aces, six blocks, and 39 digs. Meghan Peters (Jr.) fueled the offense with 10 kills and had a hitting percentage of .450. Jenna Schuda (Jr.) passed out 32 assists. Keira McCaffrey (Fy.) collected four blocks and seven kills. Jessica Cleveland (Sr.) pushed the defense with 13 digs.
 
The Monarchs are back on the road as they travel to Newburgh, NY for a tri-match against St. Joseph's University Long Island and Mount Saint Mary at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 19^th. The crew will continue on the road for a MAC Freedom contest against Lebanon Valley at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23^rd.