WASHINGTON - Gallaudet University captured the United East - Volt Division women's volleyball championship here Thursday night in the Field House on Padden Court as the Bison defeated Lancaster Bible College, 3-0, before a crowd of 437.
Gallaudet (30-3) advance to Saturday's United East Championship match that will pit the Volt Champion against the Skye Champion. Cedar Crest College (16-8) defeated Notre Dame of Maryland University (15-10) in four sets, 3-1, on Thursday evening. The Falcons will host the Bison on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 2 p.m. The site of the United East women's volleyball championship was predetermined by the conference office before the season started.
The Bison got off to a strong start against the Chargers and won the first set, 25-14. The two teams battled in the second set and went back-and-forth as both teams had set points. GU won the second set, 29-27, thanks to a LBC service error and a kill by junior
Anya Pothorski (Columbus, Ohio).
Lancaster Bible (18-11) hung around in the third set but ultimately the Bison took the set, 25-22, and the match in straight sets.
The win extends Gallaudet's win streak to 15 straight. GU is 26-1 over the course of its last 27 matches. Gallaudet finished 13-1 at home this season, its best record in the Field House since a 9-1 mark in 2016.
Gallaudet senior outside hitter
Natalie Clayberg (Pella, Iowa) led the Bison with 16 kills and 14 digs for the double-double. Junior opposite
Cassidy Perry (Frederick, Md.) finished with 10 kills and five block assists. Junior setter
Ella Gamble (Cullowhee, N.C.) passed out 31 assists and made nine digs, three service aces, two kills and two block assists. Senior libero
Leila Sicoli (Austin, Texas) made a match-high 22 digs, passed out six assists and made two aces. First-year middle hitter
Jada Zarembka (Riverside, Calif.) made six block assists. GU finished the game with seven blocks and seven service ces.
The Chargers were led by Chloe King's seven kills and 17 digs while Madeline Reed passed out 26 assists in the loss.
GU is 4-0 against LBC in conference tournament matches and 14-2 all-time.
The Bison reach the 30-win mark for the first time since 2012 (31-7) and only the third time under the direction of Head Coach
Lynn Ray Boren. Gallaudet went 30-6 in Coach Boren's second season (2006).
UP NEXT
GU travels to Allentown, Pa., to face Cedar Crest College this Saturday, Nov. 11, at 2 p.m. in Lees Gymnasium. The winner will earn the automatic bid into the 2023 NCAA Division III women's volleyball championship. The two teams met earlier this season in the Worthington Classic where the Bison defeated the Falcons, 3-0, on the first day of two of the tournament. GU is 3-0 against the Falcons in the past three years.
