Proficient Attack Returns to Gophers in Fourth Set

TOWSON, Md. — Between them, Hannah Kuehl (Plymouth, N.H./Plymouth Regional) and Kelly Budge (Harrington Park, N.J./Northern Valley Old Tappan) had 30 kills for Goucher in tonight's match against Lancaster Bible in the Decker Sports & Recreation Center. More importantly, each one had six in the fourth set, which is where the Gophers finished off the Chargers, 3-1.

Set scores were 25-20, 25-23, 22-25, 25-22.

Kuehl accounted for four of Goucher's 10 kills in the opening set. She had five more and Budge had four of her own in the second set, while Sarah Johnson (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) assisted 19 of her team's 23 kills during the opening two sets.

After posting attack percentages of .206 and .343, respectively, in the first two sets, the Gophers (7-14) won only eight points in the third set on kills and made five hitting errors in 44 attempts (.068).

The score was tied 14 different times in the fourth set before head coach Kelli Wilkinson's squad went ahead for good at 21-20 on a kill by Kuehl that was assisted by Johnson. Goucher's next two points were the result of kills by Budge before the Gophers closed out the match with Johnson picking up her 39th assist on a kill by Paige Smith (Beltsville, Md./St. Vincent Pallotti).

Johnson also led Goucher in digs with 20.

Lauren Grimm furnished the Chargers (10-9) with 14 kills and 18 digs.

The Gophers finish out the week with a non-conference match against Keystone. The match will be played Saturday at 6 p.m. at Notre Dame (Md.).