Wooster Swept In Highly Competitive Tri-Match, Beal Records Rare Triple-Double

WOOSTER, Ohio - After defeating Earlham College in straight sets on Friday night, The College of Wooster volleyball team saw itself get swept by North Coast Athletic Conference foe and No. 5-ranked Wittenberg University 25-14, 25-22, 25-18 Saturday in the opener of a highly competitive tri-match inside Timken Gymnasium. Wooster went on to drop its second match of the day to Heidelberg College 27-29, 25-13, 25-15, 25-14.

During the tough loss to Heidelberg, Wooster freshman setter Lizzi Beal recorded what is believed to be the first triple-double since Trisha Wiles accomplished the rare feat back in 1999. Against the Student Princes, Beal pounded down 10 kills, dished out 29 assists, and dug up 10 would-be Heidelberg kill attempts.

The Scots (14-12, 8-3 NCAC) began the first game with Wittenberg clinging to a 7-6 lead, before the visiting Tigers began a surge that would last throughout the end of the set. During the second set, the Scots possessed a slim 22-21 lead in a set that featured short runs by both sides. However, the Tigers rattled off the final 4-0 run and took set two, 25-22. In the third and final set, Wittenberg held a 17-16 advantage. Thanks to runs of 5-1 and 3-1, the visitors took the set and the match.

KateLynn Riley led the Scots pounding down 10 kills and recording three block solos and a block assist. Megan Earle finished with four kills and seven digs, and Ali Drushal recorded 18 digs. Beal ended the match with 19 assists.

The match against Heidelberg (23-5) was a different scenario, with the Scots and the Student Princes trading leads the entire match. There were several instances in which both teams found themselves in rallies lasting several minutes. It was the Scots, though, that would break through first, taking the opening set. However, Heidelberg stormed back and took the final three sets for the non-conference victory.

Riley led the Scots with a team-high 15 kills, and now stands at 974 kills over her three-year career, while Earle and Beal also added 10 kills apiece. Earle chipped in defensively with 20 digs and Beal added her 10, while sophomores Abby Jensen and Amanda Gottesman nearly hit double figures with nine digs each.

Beal completed her triple-double with 29 assists, while Drushal paced the defense with 34 digs.

The Scots will look to rebound when they travel to Meadville, Pa. and take on NCAC rival Allegheny College (13-12, 9-2 NCAC) in a battle for second place in the conference on Tuesday at 7 p.m.