Box Score

GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Trailing 2-1 in its Centennial Conference match with visiting Franklin & Marshall College, the Gettysburg College volleyball team rebounded to win the final two games thanks the hitting of senior Katie Heffner (Easton, Pa./Easton) and freshman Kate Yoder (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus), the former becoming the 11th player in school history with 1,000 kills, who combined for 31 kills in the Bullets' 3-2 (30-17, 26-30, 25-30, 30-17, 15-13) decision.

Yoder poured in a career-high 16 kills in the victory, while Heffner added 15 as Gettysburg ended Franklin & Marshall's (12-4, 3-1 CC) nine-match winning streak. Needing just nine kills to get to 1,000, Heffner knocked down eight in the first two games before being shutout in the third frame. The senior reached the milestone early in game four, tallying the noteworthy kill on her third attempt. Yoder saved the spotlight for last, going solo on a block of Franklin & Marshall's Margot Phelan, a two-time All-CC First Team selection.

The Bullets, now 11-5 overall and 2-0 in the league, got off to a hot start with an easy victory in the opener, but errors plagued the hosts in the second and third games. Gettysburg picked it back up in game four, jumping out 27-11, thanks in large part to a series of Diplomat miscues. The momentum held in the final game as the teams switched sides of the net with the Bullets holding an 8-4 advantage. Franklin & Marshall came back, tying the game at 12-12 and 13-13, but Gettysburg regained the lead 14-13. Following a Diplomat timeout, the visitors put the ball in the hands of their big hitter, but Yoder emphatically denied the attack and was subsequently swarmed by her teammates.

Sophomore setter Amanda Krampf (Gaithersburg, Md./Gaithersburg) paced the offense as usual, tallying 46 assists in addition to contributing three kills and 10 digs. Sophomore Kristina Mercier (Baltimore, Md./Mount de Sales Academy) added 11 kills, while junior Meghan McConville (Eldersburg, Md./Liberty) came up with some key kills in the fourth and fifth games, finishing with five on the night.

The defense was solid all around as five players registered double-digit dig totals, led by sophomore Kristin Kotewicz (Columbia, Md./River Hill) with 14. Sophomore Mekenna Sigai (Baltimore, Md./Notre Dame Prep.) finished the final two contests in strong fashion, coming up with 13 digs, tying fellow classmate Stephanie Rickabaugh's (West Chester, Pa./Henderson) total. Sophomore Jade Dunhour (Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim) added 10 digs.

Blocking was also strong as Gettysburg sent back 10 attacks as a team. Yoder managed a pair of solo blocks and two block assists, while Rickabaugh was a part of five blocks. McConville accounted for four total blocks.

On the other side of the net, Franklin & Marshall pounded down 50 kills behind 14 each from Maritza Fair, Nicole Morano, and Phelan. The Diplomats were strong on the serve, blasting 14 service aces including five by Valerie Pusaterri, and three each by Fair and Pamelo Horner. Setting duties were split with Pusateri notching 30 assists and Horner adding 14.

Defensively, Franklin & Marshall was led by Jenna Walck with 13 digs, while Phelan notched a double-double with 10 digs. Morano patrolled the net for the visitors, totaling six blocks.

Gettysburg returns to action on Saturday with another Centennial Conference match at Ursinus College at 1 p.m.