WOOSTER, Ohio – Albion College scored four-set victories over the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford and the College of Wooster to push its season record to 8-3.
The Britons were consistent, cracking 55 kills against Pitt-Bradford and 56 against Wooster.
"We played two consistent matches today," Albion Coach Kristin de St. Aubin said. "Pitt-Bradford forced us to find our offensive rhythm and challenged us defensively. Wooster, as an undefeated team, challenged us to the fullest. It was the best 'team' effort we have seen all year.
"We had some players step up in key situations, especially our middle hitters – Taylor Rosenthal and Jessica Konieczny," de St. Aubin added. "Lauren Outwater had an outstanding match against Wooster."
Albion d. Pitt-Bradford 25-19, 21-25, 25-17, 25-16
Lauren Outwater produced kills on consecutive points as Albion built a 17-10 lead in the first set, and she combined with Taylor Rosenthal on a block for a 19-12 advantage. Albion closed out the set with when by Jessica Konieczny and Rosenthal sandwiched kills around a Pitt-Bradford attack error.
Monica Shuk served an ace, Rosenthal contributed a kill and a block, and Pitt-Bradford had three attack errors as Albion reeled off the first five points of the third set. Stephanie Thurner knocked down a kill and Shuk served another ace as Albion held a 14-10 lead. Setter Ami Milligan dumped a kill as the margin ballooned to 19-12, and Albion kept rolling behind Konieczny kills on consecutive points.
Albion reeled off a five-point run to take control of the fourth set. Konieczny produced a kill and solo block, Thurner added a kill and Halle Thom served up an ace for a 13-8 lead. Kristin Yeager served an ace, Milligan and Rosenthal teamed up on a block, Milligan dumped another kill and Rosenthal knocked down one more kill as Albion pulled out to a 22-11 lead.
Rosenthal, who hit .250 with 14 kills and four errors in 40 attacks, produced six blocks. Konieczny finished with 13 kills and three blocks. Milligan dished out 40 assists and collected 15 digs.
Albion d. Wooster 25-16, 20-25, 25-18, 25-19
Rosenthal, Outwater, Konieczny and Thurner all produced at least 10 kills as Albion handed Wooster (8-1) its first loss of the season.
Albion's hitting was impressive in the first and fourth sets. The Britons hit .275 (14-3-40) in the first, and .271 (18-5-48) in the fourth.
A six-point run gave Albion a 7-2 lead it would never surrender in the first set. It was a five-point run, powered by two kills apiece from Konieczny and Thurner, which put Albion in control at 15-7. Rosenthal had the kill on three consecutive points as Albion extended the margin to 21-11.
Outwater had three kills and Wooster committed an attack error as Albion raced out to a 4-0 lead in the third set. Another four-point run, sparked by two kills from Rosenthal, extended the lead to 8-1. Rosenthal served up an ace to make the score 10-2. Monica Shuk served up two aces and Wooster committed four attack errors as Albion reeled off a seven-point run to build a 21-9 lead.
Albion had a pair of four-point runs in building a 8-2 lead in the fourth set. The margin was 21-19 when Rosenthal terminated two of the final four points of the contest.
For the day
Rosenthal produced 29 kills and seven blocks, Konieczny chipped in with 23 kills and five blocks and Outwater had 20 kills and four blocks. Milligan ran the offense with 89 assists and helped the defense with 29 digs. Shuk was an effective libero with 41 digs and five aces.
Next up
Albion, now 8-3 on the year, continues play in the Wooster Invitational with Saturday matches against Capital University and Oberlin College.
