Gophers Rally from Early Deficit, Win in Four Sets

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. — After dropping the initial set of its road encounter against Delaware Valley, Goucher rallied to take the next three in a 3-1 victory over the Aggies tonight.

Kelly Budge (Harrington Park, N.J./Northern Valley Old Tappan) registered the first double-double of her career in the ninth victory of the season for the Gophers (9-18). Budge had 12 kills and 15 digs to lead the offensive attack. Set scores in the win were 23-25, 25-13, 25-12, 25-18.

Tonight's victory was only the third of the season for Goucher after falling in the first set. The other wins, both in five sets, came in the season opener against Hood and the Landmark opener at Catholic.

Michelle Tweedie (Accra, Ghana/Lincoln Community School) chipped in 12 kills to tie for the team-lead with Budge, and she also had a team-high three blocks. Val Kirsch (Westport, Conn./Staples) led the way with 25 digs, two off from her career-high, and Erika DiPasquale (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) fired in seven aces.

As a team, the Gophers set a new season high with 17 aces. Primary setter Sarah Johnson (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood), meanwhile, matched a season-best with 35 assists and Hannah Kuehl (Plymouth, N.H./Plymouth Regional) had 10 kills.

Maria Cameron (11) was the only player to manage double-digit kills for the Aggies (4-19).

Goucher returns to the court in a tri-match at Washington (Md.) this Saturday. The Gophers play Franklin & Marshall at 2 p.m. before facing off against the host Shorewomen immediately afterwards at 4 p.m.