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Swarthmore Downs DeSales 3-1; Move onto ECAC Semifinals
Story and Photo Courtesy of the Swarthmore Athletics Site
SWARTHMORE, Pa. - Junior Genny
Pezzola's 18 kills and 19 digs led the Garnet (20-11) to its
first ECAC tournament victory on Wednesday night over the visiting
DeSales Bulldogs (15-16) in four sets, 3-1 (21-25, 25-22, 25-17,
25-16).
The win not only moves Swarthmore into an ECAC semifinal match
against the Bethany Bison on Saturday but also gives coach Harleigh
Chwastyk her first 20 win season.
After starting out slow and going down a set to the visiting Bulldogs, the Garnet stepped up its game and fly by DeSales thanks to a great offense but an even more impressive defense.
Junior libero Hillary Santana and freshman Danielle Seltzer were amazing picking diving for 20 digs apiece in the match while sophomore Allison Coleman would equal Pezzola's 19.
With 14 digs, junior Lisa Shang would be the fifth Swat player to put up double digit digs in the match. Swarthmore would pick up 104 digs.
The Garnet offensive wasn't much different with three players in double digit kills. Along with Pezzola's, sophomore Kat Montemurro would blast 18 kills of her own.
The freshman connection of Danielle Sullivan and Brone Lobichusky would combine for another 19 kills. Sullivan would put up 10 and Lobichusky 9.
Coleman was great on both sides of her game, setting an astonishing 49 assists of Swarthmores 62.
The Garnet started the tournament on a high note not only with the win but three players would record double-doubles in the game. Pezzola with her 18 kills and 19 digs, Sullivan with 10 kills and 20 digs, and Coleman with 49 assists and 19 digs.
Swarthmore will now travel to St. Vincent's College in Latrobe, Pa. on Saturday November 13 to face off with Bethany in its semifinal match. Play is set to begin at 2:00 PM.
