(Written by Brina Kuslak '23)

NEW LONDON, Conn. - After nearly two years without games, the Wesleyan volleyball team returned to the court in resounding fashion as the Cardinals swept the 2021 season opener at Coast Guard with set scores of 25-19, 25-22, 25-15.
 
Maddie Kurke '22, engineered a well-balanced Wesleyan offense, posting an impressive 13 kills against the Bears, leaving them with a 2-3 record. This Tuesday season opener starts the Cardinals off with a 1-0 record leading into a home doubleheader on Friday against RIT (3 PM) and Western Connecticut State (7 PM).
 

 
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:

• Neither side gained much separation in the opening set as the lead changed hands several times before Wesleyan rode a 4-0 run with Jenna Otaola providing two straight aces in the mini Cardinal run that made it 16-11.
• That five-point lead was the largest of the set for either side and was enough in the end as Coast Guard could only whittle the Wesleyan lead down to three before the Cardinals closed out a 25-19 first set win.
• Instead of back-and-forth play in the second set, it was all Wesleyan early as the Cardinals jumped out to a 6-2 advantage with Kurke posting three kills in that opening run.
• Coast Guard then went on a 14-5 run of their own to suddenly lead 16-11 in the second before Wesleyan battled back with five straight points, two of which coming on Kurke service aces, that made it 18-17 Cardinals.
• The two sides traded 3-0 runs and the score was tied at 21 apiece before Sydney Smith '25 started a crucial late 3-0 run that finished with a combo block from Brina Kuslak '23 and Bella Ahearn '23. Kuslak went on the finish the come-from-behind second set win with a kill that made it 25-22 Cardinals.
• Much like the first set, the lead changed hands several times in the early going before two separate 4-0 Wesleyan runs in the middle stages of the third set encapsulated a 14-3 Cardinal run that finished off a convincing 25-15 third set win that sealed the sweep for Wesleyan.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• The Cardinals had 41 kills on 118 attacks, earning a hitting percentage of .254 against the Bears' .109.
• Otaola was all over the floor, matching her career-high with 20 digs against the Bears' strong outside hitters, putting the Cardinals in a good position to gain momentum and take control of the game. 
• First-years Smith '25 and Mariko Tanaka '25 both had successful collegiate debuts. Smith totaled 10 kills on the evening while and Tanaka posted eight kills.
• Grace Dennis '23 went for 30 assists and 11 digs as she tallied her second career double-double in her first career game as the Cardinals' primary setter
• Kuslak provided on both ends of the floor as she hit .313 with five kills and no errors on 16 attempts to go along with two blocks
• Ahearn also played error-free ball as she went for four kills on 17 attempts with two blocks and four digs

HEAD COACH BEN SOMERA

• "Tonight was a good first match. We were put in some difficult situations and responded well. We're looking forward to growing from here as a competitive unit." 

WHAT'S NEXT?

• Wesleyan Cardinals will finish up the week with a double header at home on Friday vs. RIT at 3:00pm and Western Connecticut State at 7:00pm. Come out and support your Cardinals at home!