When everything looked against Waynesburg heading into the fourth set, down 2-1, and on the road, the Waynesburg University Yellow Jackets started to look inward for a rally. 

After winning the first set 25-22, Waynesburg lost the second and third sets, 25-17 and 25-19. The team rallied back against Carlow, winning the next two sets, 25-13 and 15-7, to achieve their first win of the season for head coach Hope Johnston and the Yellow Jackets. 

“I told the team that we had to start playing more aggressive, especially on offense,” Johnston said. “We needed to swing harder and take more risks to get the kills.” 

Before the match, Waynesburg had players out with injuries, creating opportunities for others to step up. 

“We were excited for the match vs. Carlow. Unfortunately, we have a few sick and injured players, so there were some new faces on the court,” Johnston said. 

The Yellow Jackets started the match hot with a five-point run in the first set, followed by a strong defensive effort by the team to secure the first set. 

The second set started slowly for the Yellow Jackets, allowing Carlow to go on an eight-point run early in the second set, followed by a six-point run late to seal the second set for Carlow. 

Waynesburg’s struggles continued in the third set, after an exchange of runs by both teams, and a seven-point run late gave Carlow the third set. 

Waynesburg is looking towards the brink of another loss heading towards the fourth set. The team fought back, turning the game around to be the team looking towards a win with a six-point run to tie the match. 

Waynesburg continued strong into the final set, scoring five points immediately. The Yellow Jackets continued to strike to finish the comeback.  

One of the key factors to this match was Waynesburg’s 48 kills, a season high, led by senior Kristina Zadrozny.  

“With a lot of new teammates this year, I think our offense is finally flowing together,” Zadrozny said. 

The second match for the Yellow Jackets was a home opener against Mount Aloysius.  

The Yellow Jackets started the set down by four after a four-point run by the Mounties. Fighting back in the set, the Yellow Jackets continued to push through, eventually falling in the first set, 25-17.  

A back-and-forth attack by both teams kept the second set close until the Yellow Jackets closed the set, winning 25-19. 

The third set started out with both sides exchanging points. The Mounties eventually started to make a run with the Yellow Jackets, keeping it close, eventually losing, 25-21. 

The final set was a combination of runs by the Mounties, a four-point run by the Yellow Jackets at the end as one last push for the team was not enough as the team lost, 25-17. 

Despite the loss, Johnston saw progress in the team over the past two matches.  

“I have already seen the progression from our first win against Carlow to our competition against Mount Aloysius.” Johnston said. “I think that the team has built some confidence and believes that we can fight to win.” 

The Yellow Jackets will travel tomorrow for their four games at the Grove City Invitational.