WASHINGTON – Gallaudet University senior outside hitter
Brielle Worley (Amarillo, Texas) recorded a career-high 33 kills, finishing just three shy of the NCAA Division III record for a three-set match, as the third-seeded Bison swept sixth-seeded Penn St.-Brandywine in the United East Conference Tournament quarterfinals Saturday afternoon on Padden Court inside the Field House.
Worley's 33 kills came within three of the NCAA Division III record for kills in a three-set match (36), a mark shared by three players and last accomplished in 2001. She committed just two attack errors on 68 attempts for a remarkable .456 hitting percentage, recording 10 kills in the first set, 11 in the second and 12 in the third.
Gallaudet (19-9) defeated Penn St.-Brandywine (12-11) by set scores of 25-21, 25-20, 25-17 to advance to the conference semifinals. The Bison extended their winning streak to nine matches and completed a season sweep of the Nittany Lions after winning the first meeting, 3-1, on Oct. 24.
The opening set featured seven ties and four lead changes before Gallaudet pulled away for a 25-21 victory. The Bison controlled the final two sets, hitting .250 in the second and .333 in the third to complete the sweep.
Worley accounted for 33 of Gallaudet's 50 kills (66 percent) and added eight digs and a service ace. First-year setter
Gracie Gloster (Clark, N.J.) directed the Bison offense with a match-high 42 assists and five digs.
Senior outside hitter
Jada Zarembka (Riverside, Calif.) added eight kills, 15 digs, two service aces and a solo block. First-year libero
Tori Harris (Stockbridge, Ga.) led Gallaudet's defense with a team-high 21 digs, while sophomore middle hitter
Kayla Debrow (Jacksonville, Fla.) contributed two kills and a solo block. Graduate student middle hitter
Bri Eilderts (Omaha, Neb.) finished with four kills, five digs and a block assist.
The Nittany Lions were led by junior opposite Nia Moore with eight kills and a .471 hitting percentage, while libero Lara Zima collected a match-high 25 digs.
BISON TRACKS
- Worley's 33 kills established a new career high and finished three shy of the NCAA Division III three-set match record of 36.
- Worley recorded 10 kills in the first set, 11 in the second and 12 in the third.
- Gallaudet extended its winning streak to nine matches.
- The Bison improved to 2-0 against Penn St.-Brandywine this season.
- All four higher-seeded teams advanced from Saturday's United East quarterfinal matches.
- The top three seeds won, 3-0, while fourth-seed Lancaster Bible College won, 3-1.
UP NEXT
Third-seeded Gallaudet travels to second-seeded Penn St. Harrisburg for a United East Conference Tournament semifinal match on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. The Bison will look to avenge a 3-1 road loss to the Nittany Lions on Oct. 6.
The other semifinal features top-seeded St. Mary's College of Maryland hosting fourth-seeded Lancaster Bible College. The winners advance to the United East championship match set for Saturday, Nov. 14.
