TAMPA, Fla. – It was two similar matches, but not both in the Cardinals' favor Saturday. The Wheeling Jesuit volleyball team swept past Wayne State, 3-0, before it faltered in straight sets against No. 1 Tampa.
 
No. 9 WJU (2-2) built comfortable leads by at least seven points in each of the three sets against Wayne State (0-3) on the way to a 25-16, 25-17 and 25-14 win. The Cardinals held very early leads in each set against the top-ranked Spartans of the University of Tampa (3-0). The home team responded in each set to take away the 25-18, 25-16 and 25-17 scores.
 
"We started the early morning match focused on how to attack Wayne State. I thought the team performed well and the results showed that," said Cardinal head coach Christy Benner. "Against Tampa, early on, the game plan was successful, however, as the match wore on, we did not execute our favorable matchups. Tampa, with their talent, took advantage."
 
In the WJU action, Haley Kindall led the frontline with 22 kills, while Kasey Krucki downed 16 kills and had 33 digs. Setter Andrea Thobe dished out 65 assists and posted 17 digs.
 
Wheeling Jesuit returns to action next Thursday through Saturday in the University of Indianapolis tournament. The Cardinals start play against the host Greyhounds Thursday night, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m.
 
vs. Wayne State (W – 25-16, 25-17, 25-14)
WJU put identical 17-10 leads on the board midway through each of the three sets against Wayne State. The Cardinals did not let the Warriors back into any of the sets for the victory. As a team, WJU hit .356 in the match.
 
By the numbers…
For the Cardinals
•Krucki – 10 kills, 1 error in 19 TA for a .474 pct., 15 digs, 2 BA
•Kindall – 11 kills, .421 pct., 2 BA, 2 digs
•A. Thobe – 38 assts, 11 digs, 2 kills, BA
•Emma Schleucher – 6 kills, 2 assts, 3 aces, 2 digs
•Graves – 7 kills, .429 pct., 3 BA, 2 digs
•Jessica Thobe – 21 digs
•Sam Obringer – 4 aces, 10 digs
•Sydnie Obringer – 10 kills, .333 pct., 2 digs
•Allegra Shippy – 1^st collegiate kill
 
For the Warriors…
•Hannah Moore – 7 kills
 
vs. No. 1 Tampa (L – 18-25, 16-25, 17-25)
In the first set, WJU edge ahead by slim margins of 3-1 and 6-4, before the teams were tied at 10. Tampa put the next four points on the scoreboard, 14-10, on two kills and two WJU attack errors. The Spartans allowed the Cardinals no closer than 19-15 the rest of the set.
 
The Cardinals, again, pushed ahead early in the second set. With the score at 6-6, Tampa went on a 6-1 spurt for a 12-7 lead and went on for the win.
 
WJU scored the first and third points of the third set, but Tampa built an 11-5 lead midway through the set. The home team went on for the straight-sets win from there behind a .297 team hitting percentage.
 
By the Numbers…
For the Cardinals…
•Kindall – 11 kills
•A.Thobe – 27 assts., aces, 6 digs
•Krucki – 6 kills and 18 digs
•Graves – 6 kills, BS, 4 BA
•J. Thobe – 19 digs
•Schleucher – 6 kills, 2 BA
•Sam Obringer – 4 digs
 
For the Spartans...
•Berkley Whaley 13 kills
•Team hit .297