No. 2 JWU Volleyball Upset by Wesleyan, 3-1, in NCAA Regional Final

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Courtesy of JWU Athletics Communications

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Another great season for the Johnson & Wales University women's volleyball team came to an end on Sunday as the Wildcats lost, 3-1 (23-25, 14-25, 25-22, 12-25), to Wesleyan University in the finals of the NCAA Tournament Providence Regional.

Records: 
Wesleyan: 20-5
#2 Johnson & Wales: 33-2

Statistical Leaders:
Hannah Dolan (JWU): 14 kills
Brylee Frank (JWU): 42 assists, 17 digs
Nicole Hilton (WU): 20 kills

Of Note:
Wesleyan advances to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals in Pittsburgh on Thursday. Game time and opponent will be announced on Monday.  

The loss ended Johnson & Wales' 60-game home court winning streak, the third-longest in NCAA Division III history.

A kill by Maria Coniglio staked the Wildcats to a 15-13 first-set lead. Wesleyan responded with a 5-0 run to take the lead on its way to winning the first set. Wesleyan jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the second set with the Wildcats only closing the margin to 12-8.

Johnson & Wales had a 17-13 third-set lead, but the Cardinals went on an 8-3 run to take a 21-20 advantage. Two kills from Hannah Dolan and a Brylee Frank ace gave JWU the set.

The Cardinals grab control of the fourth set, racing out to a 13-6 lead on their way to closing out the final set.

Dolan led the Wildcats with 14 kills and senior Katie Leidhold added 10 more in the final match of her collegiate career. Setter Brylee Frank produced a 42-assists, 17-dig double-double

JWU should be poised for another deep run in 2019 as head coach Nancy Somera only loses two seniors off this year's team.

NCAA Providence Regional All-Tournament Team
Nicole Hilton, Wesleyan MVP
Kaira Muraoka-Roberts, Wesleyan
Stasie Litinsky, Wesleyan
Brylee Frank, Johnson &  Wales
Kate Walker, Johnson & Wales
Jennifer Donnelly, Springfield
Meredith Dignan, SUNY New Paltz