Goucher Rallies in Fourth Set to Seal Home Victory Over Immaculata

TOWSON, Md. – The Goucher volleyball team made the most out of its last regular season home match, defeating visiting Immaculata 3-1 (25-27, 27-25, 25-19, 27-25) in nonconference action Wednesday evening in the Decker Sports and Recreation Gymnasium.

Immaculata (6-11) hit .079 for the four-set match, while the Gophers (4-13) racked up 79 digs in the match.

Freshman Sarah Weeden led all players with a season high 27 kills while adding four service aces and 16 digs. Junior Kelly Budge added 13 kills, and 18 digs, and two blocks. Freshman Virginia Estes paced the defense with 22 digs while classmate Olivia Rhodes ran the offense with 44 assists.

The Gophers made a late run in the first set, going ahead 25-24. Back to back kills from Arden Vizzard and Shelby Belk put the Mighty Macs up 26-25, and another Belk kill sealed the victory 27-25.

In the second frame, the Gophers jumped out to an early lead, leading by as much six 14-8. The Mighty Macs tied the match 14-14, but a kill and an ace from Weeden and kill from Budge gave the Gophers a 17-14 lead. Immaculata would come within two on a pair of occasions, including 24-22. The Gophers used a late run to close out the match 27-25.

A 7-0 run late in the third set helped the Gophers close out the frame to go up 2-1 in the match. 

Goucher found themselves in a familiar situation in the fourth set, trailing by as much as five at 15-10, but would come back to tie the Mighty Macs on four separate occasions, before finally sealing the victory on a solo block by senior Meredith Johnson.

The Gophers will travel to Huntingdon, Pa. for a conference tri-match against Juniata and Susquehanna Saturday, Oct. 15. The first match is set to start at 11 a.m.