Women’s Volleyball goes 0-2 on final day of Bearcat Challenge, Hess named to All-Tournament Team

LATROBE, Pa. --- Carlow University women's volleyball went 0-2 on the final day of the Saint Vincent College Bearcat Challenge Saturday.

The Celtics (1-3) lost 3-1 to Rochester Institute of Technology (3-1) and Westminster College (3-1) swept Carlow 3-0 in the nightcap.

Senior outside hitter Rebecca Hess (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Central Catholic) earned All-Tournament Team honors after amassing 55 kills, 61 digs and 12 service aces over the two-day, six team event.

vs. RIT: L, 3-1 (18-25, 25-18, 20-25, 12-25)

Hess led Carlow with a double-double 13 kills and 13 digs, while Sarah Porter (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway HS) and Emily Hess (Saltsburg, Pa./River Valley HS) contributed 18 and 11 assists, respectively. Kelsey Sufak (Allison Park, Pa./Deer Lakes HS) added 12 digs in the effort.

After falling 25-18 in the first set, the Celtics held the Tigers to just nine kills to win the second set by the same score.

Carlow went ahead 5-3 and later strung together a 6-0 run to gain a 17-6 advantage. RIT attempted to make a comeback late in the set, but the Celtics held them off for the win.

Both teams traded leads throughout the third set, with Carlow ahead 18-14 over midway through. A Tigers kill set off an 11-2 run to end the third set in RIT's favor, 25-20. RIT hit .429 to win the fourth set, 25-12.

Macie Jolliffe led the Tigers with a game-high 17 kills and Jada Lee added 16 digs.

vs. Westminster: L, 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-15)

The Titans swept Carlow in the nightcap. Rebecca Hess led the Celtics with a game-high 20 digs and 12 kills, while Porter added 14 assists.

Westminster jumped out to a 12-0 lead enroute to a 25-19 first set win and staved off a late Celtics comeback to win the second set, 25-20.

Carlow led early in the third set before a 7-1 Titans run gave Westminster an advantage they would not relinquish the remainder of the game.

Kylie Anthony led the Titans with 10 kills, while Zoie Reid and Meredith Hart added 13 and 11 digs, respectively.

The Celtics travel to Penn State Fayette for a 7 p.m. match Sept. 3.

SVC Bearcat Challenge All-Tournament Team

• Carlow - Rebecca Hess
• Saint Vincent - Meegan Williams
• R.I.T. - Sofia Leon
• Westminster - Rachel Brady
• Waynesburg - Kristina Zadronzy
• Bethany - Averie Braymer