Photo by Rachael Patin
Shanice Kirabo
Staff Writer
The Lady Barons volleyball team went toe-to-toe with Chatham University’s Lady Cougars and lost 3-2 Thursday at 7 p.m. in a match that went to a tie-breaking fifth set.
In the first set, the Lady Cougars were met with several kills by freshman right side Brynn Jacobson, which put the Lady Barons ahead at 9-8.
The crowd went wild when the Lady Barons took the first set at 25-22.
In the second set, the Lady Cougars took the lead at 3-1. Though senior outside hitter Renee Antonelli scored the 11th point for the Lady Barons, the Lady Barons could not secure any more points and lost the second set.
With the third set starting with the famous High School Musical number “Get’cha Head in the Game” being played over the sound system, middle hitter Caitlin O’Malley scored the first point for the Barons. Senior setter Emily Nutter scored the next point, putting the score at 5-4, favoring the Lady Cougars.
Jacobson performed several kills and put the Lady Barons at 13-12. The Lady Cougars won several volleys after but suffered many penalties, so the score evened out between them at 25-25.
To break the tie, the Lady Barons had to get the score to 27-25. They succeeded and won the third set.
During the fourth set, the fans were fired up. The Lady Barons took a strong lead at 4-2, which the Lady Cougars soon surpassed at 10-4.
Kills by Jacobson, O’Malley and Antonelli evened out the score and brought the Lady Barons’ score back up, still trailing at 16-15. Senior middle hitter Maria Bosco’s blocks helped the Barons pull ahead to 17-16. Thanks to Bosco’s serve, the Lady Barons proceeded to 17-17.
A vicious volley soared between the two courts, which ended in yet another close call at 24-24. The Lady Cougars narrowly took that set at 26-24 after needing a two-point lead to win.
It was then the fifth set, which could mean match point for either the Lady Barons or the Lady Cougars — the team that got to 15 points first would win.
In spite of the kills by Antonelli and Jacobson, Moore’s and Nutter’s net defense and several penalties for the Lady Cougars, the Lady Barons lost a close 15-11.
Baron Brigade hosted a Baron Blast event at 5 p.m. to hype Franciscan students up about the volleyball game and encourage them to support the Lady Barons. Students were given free food outside the fieldhouse.
Lady Barons volleyball will face Geneva College at the last home game of the season Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.