Franciscan 1, Washington & Jefferson 3

Franciscan Starters 
Mary Jean Cadman, Sarah Clyde, Tessa Miller, Logan Hickey, Mary Smart, Angela Sweeney, and libero - Kaitlan Hickey

How It Happened 
Franciscan made the trip to Washington & Jefferson on Tuesday evening to take on the Presidents. With a win, the Barons would still be able to surpass the Presidents to claim the #2 seed in the PAC South. Unfortunately, the Presidents were able to earn the win and clinch that #2 seed that the Barons sought to host a PAC Quarterfinal on Tuesday

The first set was one to forget for the Barons, as the Presidents came out on fire. They started on an 8-0 run and did not look back. They held a .444 attack percentage as a team to take the set by a score of 25-10.

The second set looked like more of the same, as the Barons trailed 5-1, but they quickly responded to tie it up at 7-7. The Barons used a 5-0 run to take the momentum and be the first to 15 at 15-10. The Barons maintained that lead for the rest of the way to take the set by a score of 25-17. The Barons had 13 kills, three blocks, and two service aces in the set, as they responded very well from the rough first set.

Set three was a slow start for the Barons, but they responded once more with several big kills. Combined, the Barons and Presidents had 29 kills in this set. The Barons were able to tie the score up at 17-17 after a 4-0 run. Hickey and Heisler each added kills after that, but that was the only offense for the Barons in the remainder of the set. Presidents took the set 25-19.

In the fourth, a back-and-forth start led to a 5-5 score with neither team able to make a move. The score was within one or two points until a 4-0 Presidents' run gave them a six-point lead at 20-14. The hole was too big for the Barons to dig out of tonight, as the Presidents closed out the set to win the match in four sets. 

Inside the Numbers 
- Logan Hickey led all players with 21 kills and added 15 digs for another double double.
- Smart had 35 of the Barons' 39 set assists.
- Kaitlan Hickey led all players with 24 digs.
- The Barons won the blocking battle 7-5.

Up Next
Franciscan concludes the regular season at home, as they play Waynesburg on Friday evening. It will be Senior Day as well with a trio of Barons being honored before the match. Franciscan was able to beat Waynesburg at their place earlier this season. The Barons had just 43 kills over the four sets, but they look to end the regular season on a winning note, before switching their focus to the PAC Championship Tournament. 

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