Wooster Aces Opening Day of Ginny Hunt Kilt Classic

WOOSTER, Ohio – A rally kept alive by senior Katie Billetdeaux's foot was the jolt The College of Wooster volleyball team needed, as the Fighting Scots' winning streak is now at nine, thanks to 25-15, 22-25, 25-8, 25-20 and 14-25, 25-13, 25-16, 25-21 wins over Washington & Jefferson College and Roanoke College, respectively, on day one of the program's annual Ginny Hunt Kilt Classic.

Billetdeaux had just staked Wooster (9-2) to a 5-1 lead in the second set versus Roanoke (4-9), when junior Sydney Fitzcharles' dig attempt on a cross-court attack connected with Billetdeaux's outstretched foot. Wooster was able to keep the rally alive, and Roanoke missed on the attack moments later. Billetdeaux seized the momentum, teaming with classmate Seven Townsel to stuff Peyton Kirchner at the net on the next point. Later, the Scots' top middle fired off four aces in a five-point stretch during a third-set-closing 7-1 Wooster run.

The Maroons had no answer to Wooster's service game, as the Scots tallied 11 aces, including four each by Billetdeaux and senior Syd Case. Billetdeaux emerged as the Scots' co-leader with 12 kills, and her three blocks versus Roanoke were tops on the team. Townsel provided a second steady presence up front in Friday's nightcap with 12 kills, four of which came in the third set.

Case's helping hands equated to 39 assists, while Fitzcharles' 20 digs marked the match-high. Junior Hayley Nash continued to produce double-doubles at a steady clip with 14 digs and 10 kills.

Roanoke had eight kills apiece from Linsey Bailey, Parker Moody, and Peyton Kirchner.

Earlier in the day, Nash surpassed 20 kills for the second time this season with 21 against Washington & Jefferson. The junior picked apart the Presidents in set three with eight kills on 16 swings in that frame alone. In fact, Washington & Jefferson couldn't stop Wooster in any facet in set three, with the Scots hitting at a .455 clip. Fitzcharles kept the Presidents from settling in at the onset with four aces as part of Wooster's frame-opening 6-0 run.

Thanks to nine kills in the second set, junior Emily Gail matched a career-high with 17. The communication studies major hit at a .481 clip for the match, while as a team, Wooster checked in at .308. The program's 70 kills marked the most in any match – regardless of set length – in the current scoring era, while Case's 54 helpers are the most in a four-set match in the current era.

Fitzcharles kept alive 16 Washington & Jefferson attack attempts, while Case and Townsel logged 10 digs apiece.

Alexis Tomassini was the Presidents' standout with 22 assists and 11 digs.

Next, Wooster plays two more matches at the Ginny Hunt Kilt Classic, starting with Saturday's 10 a.m. clash with Bluffton University (5-7).