Galleo leads defensive battle with 35 digs

WESTMINSTER, Md. – Gabriella Gallo recorded 35 digs to lead Ursinus to a 3-0 victory over McDaniel in Centennial Conference (CC) volleyball action on Saturday.

The Bears (9-13, 2-5 CC) finished the three-set sweep with 98 digs, winning a trio of tightly contested sets, 25-19, 25-22, 25-23.

Annie McShea (Frederick, Md./Gov. Thomas Johnson) recorded a double-double with 15 kills and 15 digs to lead the Green Terror (2-17, 1-5 CC), who notched 87 digs of its own.

Katie Ferguson (Dover, Pa./Northern York) led the defensive effort with 20 digs.

Mary Kate Wilmoth led a balanced Ursinus attack with nine kills. Kim Goldberg added eight while Kristin Hanratty had seven.

A 9-1 rally in the first set turned a 17-15 deficit into a 24-18 lead, sparking the Bears to their first sweep since Sept. 8.

Jackie Hawkins (Ellicott City, Md./Centennial) added 16 assists and 13 digs for McDaniel while Kristen Nuckles (Suffolk, Va./Nansemond-Suffolk Academy) contributed seven kills, two aces and 17 digs.

Sarah Byron (Westminster, Md./Winters Mill) had 13 digs to round out five players in double figures.

Hanratty (22), Goldberg (14) and Wilmoth (11) also reached double figures in digs for the Bears.

The Green Terror returns to action at Gettysburg on Wednesday. Match time is 7 p.m.

Ursinus def. McDaniel, 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-23)
McDaniel Leaders:
Kills: Annie Shea 15, Kristen Nuckles 7, Kelly Toms 6; Assists: Jackie Hawkins 16, Nuckles 8; Aces: Nuckles 2, Sarah Byron 1; Digs: Katie Ferguson 20, Nuckles 17, McShea 15, Byron 13, Hawkins 13nmo; Total Blocks: Katie Ferguson 2.

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