Box Score

CHESTER, Pa. – Jessica Cortese (Lancaster, PA/Hempfield) and Nicole Barr (Annapolis, MD/Broadneck) knocked down 12 kills apiece and Lauren Boyd (Millersville, MD/Severna Park) served 21 straight points in game one as Gettysburg swept Widener 3-0 (30-12, 30-24, 30-23) in non-conference volleyball action on Thursday.

 Boyd, who also posted a team-best 32 assists on the night, took advantage of five kills from Barr and four from Erin Barkdoll (Dover, PA/Dover) to reel off a 21-0 run that turned a 6-5 deficit into an opening-game victory and helped Gettysburg (6-9) snap a four-match losing streak. Cortese, averaging a team-leading 3.24 kills per game this season, added a team-high nine digs to her 12-kill performance while Barr also paced the squad with four aces and three blocks.

 Trailing 6-5 in the opening set, the Bullets took control with one of their more impressive service runs in recent memory.

 Barkdoll started the explosion with her first kill of the match to knot the game at 6, then dropped her second kill to make it 11-6 and force the Pioneers' first timeout.

 Unfazed by the break, Gettysburg rattled off seven more points to force Widener's second timeout at 18-6. Barkdoll opened and closed the burst with a pair of tip kills while Barr added a block and three consecutive knockdowns during the middle of the run.

 Following the second stoppage, Barr unleashed her fifth kill of the run and the Pioneers (9-9) committed five straight errors to make it 24-6. Boyd fired off back-to-back aces before a Bullet attacking error broke the scoring streak. Kills from Cortese and Barr closed the game.

 Riding its opening-game momentum, Gettysburg stormed to a 9-1 lead in the second set courtesy of two kills apiece from Cortese and Jayme Massey (Springfield, PA/Merion Mercy). Widener pulled within 17-15 on an ace from Amanda Shank, but a 4-0 burst, highlighted by three straight aces from Barr, halted the comeback attempt and sent the Bullets to a 2-0 lead.

 Gettysburg trailed for the final time at 16-15 in game three before using a 5-0 run to take command. Erica Rau (Oakland Park, FL/Pine Crest) knotted the game at 16 with a kill and Barr followed with her ninth kill of the match to put the Bullets ahead to stay. Cortese blasted her final three kills down the stretch to seal the win.

 Rau finished with six kills on the night while Michelle Dorsch (Frederick, MD/Thomas Johnson) and Shannan Smith (Milmont Park, PA/Ridley) provided the defense with seven digs apiece.

 Gettysburg, which improved to 4-0 all-time against the Pioneers, returns to action on Wednesday at Shippensburg. Match time is 7 p.m.
 
Gettysburg d. Widener, 3-0 (30-12, 30-24, 30-23)

Gettysburg Leaders:
Kills: Jessica Cortese 12, Nicole Barr 12. Assists: Lauren Boyd 32. Digs: Cortese 9, Michelle Dorsch 7, Shannan Smith 7.  Service Aces: Barr 4, Boyd 3. Blocks: Barr 3, Erin Barkdoll 3.