This past Friday and Saturday, the Waynesburg University women’s volleyball team traveled to Latrobe, PA to play in the St. Vincent Bearcat Challenge and were swept in all four matches they played in. 

On Friday, the team faced Rochester Institute of Technology and Carlow, each in three sets. In two of the three sets against RIT, the Yellow Jackets scored 22-plus points and had ten ties. 

Senior outside hitter Paige Mortimore believes despite the losses, this team is learning a lot. 

“I enjoyed being able to be out there with a brand new team. Most of our team is freshmen, so it was nice to have the opening weekend to be able to play in a real game for the first time with them,” Mortimore said. “It was so much fun to be back out there. Being my senior year, I just want to have fun, win or lose.”

The volleyball team has 12 freshmen on the team this season, including three transfers as well. Mortimore said that also brings an extra excitement to the season as well. 

“We had a lot of great talent at the time. I’m excited to see how far our talent can take us in the PAC this year,” Mortimore said. “We have big goals and I think we are more than capable of meeting them.”

Against Carlow, Waynesburg only lost all three sets by a combined ten points and had 12 ties and six lead changes. Kristina Zadrozny had 11 kills, senior Riley Ruffley had 24 assists and senior Macee Cree had 10 digs in this match as well. 

Today, Waynesburg had even closer bouts against Bethany and Penn State Behrend. The Yellow Jackets lost to Presidents’ Athletic Conference rival Bethany in five sets 3-2. 

Zadrozny led the team in kills with 15, senior Emily Stutzman had a career high 23 digs and freshman Mallory Boyd had 32 assists and 11 digs in the contest. 

Stutzman, despite the loss, was very happy to see herself hit that number.

“Honestly, it’s a mix of emotions. Of course, I’m disappointed with the loss, but I’m also incredibly proud of the effort I put in today,” Stutzman said. “Getting a career-high 23 digs means I was locked in defensively and doing everything I could to keep us in the game. It’s a reminder that even in tough matches, there are personal wins and growth moments.” 

Mortimore also believes this match showed what this year’s Waynesburg team is capable of when competing in matches.

“We got a glimpse of the teamwork and bond that we really have worked all preseason for. We gave it our all and worked really well together,” Mortimore said. “After this weekend, we will be able to carry that bond and experience on the court together to the game this week.”

Against Penn State Behrend, unlike in the first three matches, Waynesburg didn’t have 10-plus ties and lost every set by five or more points.

Boyd led the team with five kills in this match with graduate student Larissa Howe and Zadrozny having four kills each as well. 

The Yellow Jackets are now 0-4 overall on the season and resume action on Wednesday when they have their first home match of the season, hosting the Kent State Tuscarawas, with the first set scheduled for 7 p.m.