Swarthmore Falls in Opener
YORK, Pa. -- Garnet senior outside hitter Jen Wang collected 26 kills and fellow Californian Genny Pazzola totaled 26 digs at the York Quad Saturday afternoon. The team suffered a pair of losses, dropping a 3-0 decision to Elizabethtown before falling 3-1 to Centennial rival McDaniel.
Wang (Palo Alto, Calif. / Henry Gunn) led all players with 12 digs and eight kills (tied) in the defeat to the Blue Jays (1-1), the two-time Commonwealth champion and NCAA participant, in the season opening match. Classmate Erin Heaney (Buffalo, N.Y. / City Honors) hit double-digits in digs (10), as well.
The Swarthmore defense dug in its heels against the Green Terror (1-1), digging up 81 McDaniel attacks. Pezzola led with a 20-count, followed by freshman Hillary Santana (South Lake Tahoe, Calif. / South Lake Tahoe) and Lisa Shang (West Chester, Pa. / West Chester East) with 15 apiece. Wang again led the offense, racking up 18 kills on her way to the season's first double-double (with 11 digs). Pezzola (Oakland, Calif. / St. Mary's College HS) showed prowess at the serving line, topping the match with four aces.
Junior setter Kearney Bangs (Kingston, Wash. / North Kitsap) proved to be an effective offensive weapon against McDaniel, recording 10 kills while handing out 26 assists.
Swarthmore (0-2) looks to turn its fortune this Wednesday night, making its home debut versus Neumann in Tarble Pavilion. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. with the Garnet debuting the refurbished white maple floor for the campus to see.