GU splits on first day of Worthington Classic

WASHINGTON – The Gallaudet University women's volleyball team kicked off the 10th annual Worthington Classic here Friday with a win against Rutgers-Newark, 3-1, before falling to Salisbury University in straight sets in the nightcap.

The Bison won their first set against Rutgers-Newark 25-21. The Scarlet Raiders (5-5) responded with a 25-16 second set win to knot the match at one. Gallaudet answered with a 25-20 third set victory before closing out the match in the fourth set, 25-14.

Freshman middle hitter Adele Daniels (Frederick, Md.) recorded a career-high 20 kills to set the Bison offensive tempo. Junior outside hitter Darriyan Thomas (Vallejo, Calif.) recorded a double-double with 18 kills and 16 digs while fellow junior setter Jasmine Jeter (Noblesville, Ind.) led the team with 46 assists.

Gallaudet (5-9) played Salisbury (9-5) tight in the first set as the Bison lost an early lead and could only tie the match five times down the stretch but never took the lead. The Sea Gulls won the set, 25-20, and followed with 25-17 and 25-14 victories.

Daniels (13 kills, 10 digs) and Thomas (12 kills, 10 digs) recorded double-doubles in the loss. Sophomore libero Raelyn Fuechtmann (South St. Paul, Minn.) led the defense with 13 digs.

BISON TRACKS

• Sophomore middle hitter Shua Clay (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) led the Bison with four blocks (two solo)
  
• The Bison had nine services aces on Friday
• Fuechtmann had 27 total digs in two matches
• The loss to Salisbury snapped a three-game winning streak for the Bison

UP NEXT
The Bison continue play in the Worthington Classic tomorrow (Saturday, Sept. 24) against Misericordia University at 10 a.m. and DeSales University at 4 p.m..

The second day of the Worthington Classic features eight matches on two courts and begins with two matches at 10 a.m. If you cannot attend you can follow along with live video and live stats by clicking on the official tournament page: http://gallaudetathletics.com/sports/wvball/2016-17/worthingtonclassic.

Also see:

• Worthington Classic Tournament Page
• Worthington Classic Digital Game Program