Box Score WASHINGTON - The 14th annual Worthington Classic got underway here Friday in the Field House as Gallaudet University welcomed three schools; The Catholic University of America, DeSales University and Eastern University, to participate in the two-day tournament on campus. The tournament field was cut in half this year because of COVID-19 restrictions, and last year's tournament didn't take place because Gallaudet did not play sports due to the pandemic.
Gallaudet (5-9) hung tough with the red-hot Eastern University Eagles (14-1), who won their ninth straight match with a 3-1 win over the Bison, 25-20, 25-21, 23-25, 25-21. GU held leads in every set but it was the fourth set that slipped through Gallaudet's grasp as the Eagles rallied from down four points midway through to win 25-21. The Bison rallied in the third set as the home crowd came alive and helped to will GU to victory. The Bison led by as much as seven points in the third set, en route to a 25-23 set victory. Eastern coasted in the first set before the Bison trimmed the lead down to four and Gallaudet was tied 18-18 in the second set before the Eagles scored five straight points to take a 2-0 lead.
Sophomore opposite Emily Wright (Auburn, Calif.) led the way with a match-high 19 kills while senior outside hitter Karita Lewis (Frederick, Md.) recorded the double-double with 15 kills and 21 digs. Senior opposite Elina Rubinshteyn (Austin, Texas) was the third Bison in double figures for kills with 10. Sophomore setter Emma Giuntoli (Austin, Texas) passed out 41 assists to go with 10 digs for a double-double. Junior libero Mia Upchurch (Austin, Texas) served up five aces and made 16 digs while sophomore Leila Sicoli (Austin, Texas) added three aces.
Eastern had a trio of attackers in double digits led by Logan Morris' 13 kills and 14 digs and Ashley Thorsted's 31 assists and 11 digs.
DeSales defeatedb Catholic in four sets, 3-1 (25-14, 17-25, 25-19, 25-21), in the first match of the afternoon. DeSales was led by Mykenah Calder's 12 kills and 12 digs while Audrey Wolfe passed out 22 assists and Grace Grandinetti tallied 19 assists. The Cardinals were paced by Brittany Connaster's 15 kills and Alycia Power's 23 assists and 10 digs in the loss.
BISON TRACKS
- Five different Bison recorded 10 or more digs
- Gallaudet served up 10 aces against the Eagles
- This was the first time Eastern and Gallaudet have faced each other since the 2014 season
- Eastern is now 10-3 vs. Gallaudet since 1997
- The Eagles have won their last six matches against the Bison
UP NEXT
The second day of the Worthington Classic continues tomorrow (Saturday, Sept. 25) at 9 a.m. The Bison will play two matches at 11 a.m. (vs. DeSales) and 3 p.m. (vs. Catholic). Checkout the tournament page for the entire schedule and video links: https://www.gallaudetathletics.com/sports/wvball/2021-22/worthingtonclassic.
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