WEST CHESTER, Pa. -- Soph hitter
Marley Rudolph (Hampstead, Md.) had a match-high 15 kills, soph RS
Meredith Gatz (Millis, Mass.) added 12 and soph setter
Sienna Reddell (Roseville, Calif.) collected 24 assists, leading Caldwell University Volleyball to its first win of the season, a 25-20, 25-20, 25-12 triumph over Lincoln University at the West Chester University Tournament on Saturday afternoon.
The win also marked the first career coaching victory for CU's first-year mentor
Seth Jones.
Earlier in the day, Rudolph was also the team leader in kills with 12 and freshman MB
Sarah Ojo (Richmond, Texas) contributed 10 kills and five blocks in a spirited four-set defeat to Millersville University.
Against Lincoln, the Cougars (1-2) scored eight straight points to take a 14-6 first-set advantage. After the Lions (0-3) battled to within 19-16, a kill by Gatz and two by Rudolph put the Cougars at the edge of victory, when freshman
Jasmine Johnson (Rahway, N.J.) recorded the kill to close out the set.
The second set had a familiar feel, as Lincoln hung tough until a 5-0 run, including two kills from Rudolph, one from Gatz and capped by an ace by freshman DS
Bianca Chiarella (Passaic, N.J.) gave CU a 23-17 lead, which they would finish on two straight Gatz kills to take a 2-0 set lead.
The third was all Cougars, as they raced to a 16-6 lead and, fittingly, completed the sweep on a Rudolph kill.
Sophomore libero
Olivia Oakley (Hopkinsville, Ky.) had game-bests of 13 digs and four service aces in the win, while Rudolph added nine digs and Chiarella eight.
In a scheduling quirk, the Cougars and Lions will do battle again on Wednesday at the Newman Center at 6 p.m. in Caldwell's home opener.
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