Service Error Brings About Unfortunate Ending

LANCASTER, Pa. — The outcome of Goucher's match against Lancaster Bible wasn't settled by the time four sets had been completed, so there was a need for a fifth set. And in that fifth and final set, the lead changed hands three times and it appeared there might even be a fourth time until there was an immediate and, at least for the Gophers, unfortunate ending.

After a hitting error by the Chargers put the Gophers ahead 10-9 in the decisive fifth set, Goucher wouldn't score another point until Lancaster Bible had not only regained the lead, but also opened up a 13-10 advantage.

Still, head coach Kelli Wilkinson's squad battled back into contention, earning a point for a successful kill by Kelly Budge (Harrington Park, N.J./Northern Valley Old Tappan). The Chargers got the serve back on a kill by Myranda Kemrer, which made the score 14-11, but immediately lost it because Kemrer committed an attack error on the next point. The Gophers closed to within 14-13 on a kill by Hannah Kuehl (Plymouth, N.H./Plymouth Regional), but they didn't win the following point.

They were guilty, instead, of a service error, which provided Lancaster Bible with set and match point.

The Chargers (6-5) ended up winning, 3-2. Set scores were 13-25, 25-14, 23-25, 25-18, 15-13.

The Gophers (6-8) went ahead to stay in the first set on a kill by Michelle Tweedie (Accra, Ghana/Lincoln Community School) that made the score 6-5.

Lancaster Bible spotted head coach Kelli Wilkinson's squad the first two points of set No. 2, but rallied to win, 25-14.

Goucher regained the upper hand by taking set No. 3, 25-23. The Gophers allowed an eight-point cushion (21-13) to dwindle down to 23-22 before wrapping up the set on a kill by Erika DiPasquale (Paramus, N.J./Paramus).

The Chargers controlled the fourth set by jumping out to a quick 6-0 lead.

Kuehl, who finished with a .263 attack percentage, was the leader for Goucher in kills with 16. Tweedie was next in line with 12.

Meredith Johnson (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) supplied the Gophers with a career-high total of 25 digs, while Sarah Johnson (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) added a season-high 31 assists.

The Gophers return to action Thursday, again at 7 p.m., when they make the short trip into the city to take on Notre Dame (Md.).