Rally to Take First Set Propels Red Devils Past Gophers

CARLISLE, Pa. — Goucher overcame what could have been a demoralizing loss in the first set of tonight's match against Dickinson to win two of the next three sets, but the Red Devils came out on top in the decisive fifth set, 15-10, to earn a 3-2 victory over head coach Kelli Wilkinson's Gophers.

Set scores were 25-23, 21-25, 25-16, 23-25, 15-10.

Starting with a kill up the middle by senior middle hitter Michelle Tweedie (Accra, Ghana/Lincoln Community School), Goucher went on an 11-2 run in the opening set that turned an 11-11 tie into a 22-13 advantage. The Gophers, however, managed to score only one of the final 13 points, allowing the Red Devils (3-3) to go up one set to none.

Goucher saw a seven-point lead dwindle to 19-17 in the second set before a nicely placed kill in the corner by senior setter Sarah Johnson (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) helped the visiting Gophers (2-4) fend off the Red Devils.

Up 2-1 after taking set No. 3, Dickinson battled back from being down by five points in the fourth set to even the score at 14-14. The Gophers responded by scoring five of the next seven points, assuming a 19-16 edge.

Hannah Kuehl (Plymouth, N.H./Plymouth Regional) led Goucher in kills with 13. Meredith Johnson (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood), who entered the match as the Landmark Conference leader in digs per set (5.38) was credited with 23 digs against Dickinson.

The Gophers will play their first home match of the season on Thursday when they welcome Gallaudet to the Decker Sports & Recreation Center. Starting time for the match is 7 p.m.