Catholic Prevails Over Goucher 3-1

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Host Catholic picked up a 3-1 Landmark Conference women's volleyball victory over Goucher College Wednesday evening at Franny Murray Court.  Set scores were 25-19, 23-25, 25-19, 25-15.

• Goucher (4-11, 0-3 Landmark) led 14-12 following a block by Elizabeth Bobo (Milford, Pa. / Delaware Valley) and Eden Adcock (Stratford, N.J. / Sterling Regional).
• The Cardinals (4-15, 1-2 Landmark) reeled off six straight points to take an 18-14 lead.
• Trailing 24-16, the Gophers staved off three set points, including a block by Bobo and Nicole Kovach (New York, N.Y. / Quest to Learn) and a Bobo service ace, but a service error ended the set.

• Goucher jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the second, with a Rachel Chapman (Rochester, N.Y. / Churchville Chili) kill starting the run.
• Catholic chipped away and tied the set 12-12 before taking a 15-14 lead.
• After six ties, the Cardinals eked out a 22-20 lead, forcing the Gophers to call timeout.
• Goucher scored four straight points, including a Grace Howl (Harwood, Md. / Southern) service ace and back-to-back Necole Stravino (Quezon City, Philippines / Nadua (Va,)) service aces to take a 24-22 lead.
• After the hosts held off set point, a Kaya Melchor (Mililani, Hawaii / Kamehameha Schools Kapalama) kill tied the match 1-1.

• Catholic took command early, flying out to a 9-1 advantage.
• Goucher chipped away and pulled within 19-15 before Catholic responded with four straight points to take a 23-15 lead.
• The guests countered with four straight points capped by a block by Howl and Amel Lightfoot (Columbia, Md. / Oakland Mills) before the Cardinals scored the final two points to close out the set.

• The Cardinals took control by opening up a 10-3 lead.
• Catholic hit .423 in the final set as it maintained at least a six-point cushion the rest of the way.

• Chapman posted a team-high eight kills for Goucher, while Bobo added six to go with five blocks.
• Neli La Court Ruiz (York, Pa. / Northeastern) led the Gophers with 18 digs, her seventh straight match with at least 10 digs.
• Melchor and Kovach each registered 10 digs, with Kovach adding 18 assists and a pair of blocks.
• Catholic hit .239 on the evening while holding the Gophers to -.058 hitting.

• Goucher is home for two matches this weekend, hosting Gwynedd Mercy on Friday, October 8 at 7:30 pm at the Decker Sports and Recreation Center.
• The Gophers then host Bridgewater (Va.) for Senior Day on Saturday, October 9 at noon at Decker.