Box Score Franciscan 3, Chatham 0
Franciscan Starters
Renee Antonelli, , Graysen Kraft, Emily Nutter, Caitlin O'Malley, Marykate Taylor, Maria Bosco & libero - Lauren Betar
Chatham Starters
Shaelah Pepperman, Sydney Dailey, Emily Richie, Lona Bailey, Macy King, Rylee Ritko & libero- Meghan Dominek
How It Happened
The Franciscan Lady Barons used a 21-kill performance from Outside Hitter Renee Antonelli to power past Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) foe Chatham in straight sets.
The team would trade points in the early moments of the first set, as both teams tried to settle into the game. Chatham would find its rhythm first, going on an 8-1 run to jump out to a 20-13 lead in the first set. Franciscan would answer turn Antonelli to settle the offense and she would deliver three huge kills to slow the rally. Maria Bosco and Emily Nutter added kills of their own, helping the Lady Barons respond with a 10-0 run to retake the lead and momentum. After a Chatham kill, Antonelli would finish off the first set with a pair of thunderous kill to give the Barons a 25-21 victory in the first set.
Much like in the opening set, the teams would trade the lead back-and-forth in the early portion of the second set. Lead 10-9, Franciscan would take control going on a 8-1 run to take an 18-10 lead. The Lady Barons would capitalize on some of Chatham's 21 hitting errors and a couple of well-timed kills from Antonelli to spark the rally. Chatham would not go away, answering with a 6-0 run of their run of thier own to close back with in two points. Kills from Antonelli and Marykate Taylor would end the rally but the Cougars kept fighting cutting the Lady Barons advantage to a single point late in the set. After a Cougars Service Error, Antonelli would again close the set with a powerful kill giving the Barons a 2-0 lead in the match.
Franciscan would start fast in the second set, using a 7-0 run to take an early 7-3 lead. Chatham would not yield, answering back with a 7-1 run of their own to recapture the lead. With the third set tied at 12, Antonelli and Nutter would provide back-to-back kills allowing Franciscan to take back the lead. This time the Lady Barons would not give the lead back, pushing the advantage will kills from Bosco and Nutter until the finally reached a match point opportunity. As they had all night, the Lady Barons turned to Antonelli to close out the game and she smashed her 21st kill of the game to secure the 3-0 victory for Franciscan.
Inside the Numbers
- Renee Antonelli led the Lady Barons recording 21 kills and 10 digs
- Emily Nutter filled the stat sheet, recording 29 assists, nine digs and four kills
- Marykate Taylor was solid defensively, recording a team high 22 digs while registering 3 kills
- Libero Lauren Betar added 20 digs to her season total
- Franciscan won the dig battle, 79-73
- The Cougars were led by Emily Richie and Lona Bailey who each had 11 kills
Who's Next?
Franciscan will return home to face Grove City on Friday in a PAC game. The Lady Barons are 0-4 all-time against the Wolverines, but the two teams have not squared off since 2015. Dani Link led Franciscan with 11 kills in the three set loss, that took place at Bethany in a neutral cite contest.
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