Brewer Volleyball Tops Seven Sister Foe Wellesley

WELLESLEY, MA – Host Wellesley College took a 1-0 lead in non-conference action from GM Martore ‘73 Court, but the Vassar College women’s volleyball team rallied to earn a four-set victory Saturday afternoon.

The Brewers (15-7) eclipsed their win total from all of last season on Saturday, while the victory marked their win 15th win in their last 17 games. The triumph didn’t come easy though, as the Blue (11-8) came out swinging in the first set.
In the opening game, the hosting Blue hit .357 for the set while holding Vassar to .094 to earn the 1-0 advantage. The opening set was tied at nine after three straight points from VC,but Wellesley notched 14 of the next 16 to run away with the game.

In the second set, Vassar’s offense came to life, connecting on 13 kills in the period while hitting .407 to tie the match at a game apiece. The third game was much closer, featuring 10 tie scores throughout the set. With the score 14-14, VC scored four straight which pushed the Brewers ahead for good to take a 2-1 match edge.

In the final set, Wellesley took an early lead but the Brewers roared back to take the lead at 10-9 thanks to an ace by junior Alex Sams. After Wellesley pulled to within one at 13-12, Vassar scored four straight points to take an 18-13 lead. Once again, the Blue battled to cut the VC lead on, but Sams chalked up a kill and two blocks as Vassar pulled away for the win.

Sophomore Devan Gallagher was the offensive spark for the Brewers Saturday, leading all hitters with 17 kills on 43 swings. Gallagher has now posted 16 or more kills in three of the last five matches for VC, while also chalking up double-digit finishes 12 times this season.

Freshman Jane McLeod posted a huge double-double for the Brewers, as she chalked up 15 kills and a career and team-best 16 digs. It marked the fourth double-double of the year for the dominant newcomer, as she hit .265 for the contest. Sams finished with five kills, three aces and five total blocks, while junior Bria Corham added four kills as well.

Sophomore Annie MacMillan dished out 40 assists in addition to her three digs and two assisted blocks, and senior Sierra Tobin also posted 15 digs at the libero spot. Freshman Jorden Schreeder supplemented the defensive effort with 10 digs as well. The Brewers hit .192 for the contest, totaling 44 kills.

“Despite having to overcome a poor first set, we responded well to a strong team,” said head coach Jonathan Penn. “It is always satisfying to take a match from a high quality program on the road.”

Vassar will host The Sage College Thursday evening at 7 p.m. in non-conference action from Kenyon Hall.