Goucher Women's Volleyball Takes Two Matches In Straight Sets

BALTIMORE, Md. – Rachel Chapman (Rochester, N.Y./Churchville Chili) and Kaya Melchor (Mililani, Hawaii/Kamehameha Schools Kapalama) combined for 17 kills in each match to power Goucher College to a pair of 3-0 wins in non-conference women's volleyball action on Saturday.

The Gophers opened the tri-match with a 25-13, 25-11 and 25-20 win against New Jersey City University and then wrapped up the afternoon with a 25-21, 25-18, 25-15 victory against Delaware Valley.

Melchor registered nine kills and five assists in the first match and nine kills and five digs in the second match while Chapman had eight kills in each contest.

Tes DeJaeger (Norwalk, Conn./Brien McMahon) notched her fifth double-double of the season in the match against Delaware Valley with 10 assists and 11 digs. The sophomore registered 19 assists and six digs against NJCU.

Cat Hartley (Colorado Springs, Colo./Cheyenne Mountain) had 20 digs on the afternoon including 11 in the opening match while Virginia Estes (Homewood, Ala./Homewood) registered nine digs in both matches and Linnea Prudell (York, Pa./Central York) had 11 assists in the final match.

Goucher jumped out to a quick lead in the opening set against NJCU. With the Gophers holding an 8-5 lead, the squad went on a 16-6 en route to a 25-13 win. Melchor had two service aces and four kills while Hartley also had two aces in the run. 

In the second set with Goucher holding an 8-6 lead, the Gophers closed the set on a 17-5 run to take a two-set lead. Melchor, Bianca Brown (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick Township) and Emily Sorrells (Annapolis, Md./South River) each had two kills in this stretch.

The final set was the most competitive and Goucher led after the initial point, but had to win the final three points to take 25-20 win in the set to clinch the match.

The first set against Delaware Valley was very competitive, but with the Gophers holding a 21-19 lead the squad closed the set with a 4-1 run that Melchor closed out with a kill for a 25-20 win.

With Goucher leading 15-12 in the second set, the Gophers closed the set on a 10-6 run to take a two-sets lead.

Fueled by a 16-8 run to close the third set, the Baltimore team earned a 25-14 win to take the match in three sets. Chapman led the way with four kills.

Goucher returns to action on Tuesday at home against Rosemont College. Match time is 7 p.m.