WASHINGTON – The Pratt Institute women's volleyball team dropped a straight-set decision to DeSales University and pushed host Gallaudet University to four sets on Friday afternoon on day one of the 2023 Worthington Classic.
Josie Johnson and Emily Sontag paced the Cannoneers in their opener against DeSales. Johnson put away five kills with three aces and six digs, while Sontag landed six kills with an ace and two blocks. Colleen Russell also put down six kills. Gabby Genduson handed out 16 assists while Emma Leavey brought up nine digs to anchor the back line.
DeSales (5-6) managed to hit .400 in the match and won by set scores of 25-10, 25-11 and 25-15.
The Cannoneers fared better against host Gallaudet (14-2) and took the opening set off the Bison, 25-22, winning the final five of the last seven points in the frame after a 20-all deadlock. But the black-and-gold couldn't keep up the momentum as the Bison took the next three sets by a 25-12, 25-14, 25-12 margin.
Olivia Julich paced the Pratt attack with nine kills and added three blocks. Russell added five error-free kills finishing with a .294 hitting match. Johnson and Sontag also chipped in five kills apiece with Johnson and Leavey leading the defense with 15 digs each.
Pratt drops to 3-4 on the season and concludes pool play tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. against Cedar Crest College before squaring off against either Arcadia University or Utica College at 2 p.m.
