William Paterson University Athletics

WHITTIER, Calif. – The William Paterson volleyball team (12-9) fought back from a 2-1 deficit, but host Whittier (17-4) was able to secure a narrow five-set victory Oct. 16.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• A 9-3 run turned a narrow 13-12 Pioneer lead into a 22-15 advantage as William Paterson posted a 25-20 opening victory.
• The two teams were deadlocked at 9-9 in the second before the Poets reeled off five unanswered points, holding off WP late for a 25-18 decision.
• Whittier battled back from an 18-15 deficit to score 10 of the final 11 points for a 25-19 third-set win.
• Trailing two sets to one, the Pioneers responded by scoring the first six points of the fourth set on their way to a 12-5 advantage. That lead stretched to as many as 10 (22-12) as William Paterson evened the match with a 25-17 victory.
• Four lead changes and three ties marked the fifth set's first seven points. Four unanswered points pushed the Poets ahead, 9-7, helping Whittier find the momentum to finish the match with a 15-12 triumph.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Sophomore outside hitter Riley Elliott (El Dorado Hills, Calif./Oak Ridge) posted her third double-double of the season with 14 kills and 16 digs.
• Sophomore outside hitter Korinne Bakken (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Mountain Vista) registered a career-best 14 kills, while junior middle blocker Makayda Aldrich (Robbinsdale, Minn./Brooklyn Center) had 12 kills.
• Junior libero/defensive specialist Bella Demers (Maumee, Ohio/Maumee) contributed 15 digs and six assists.
• Freshman setter Sara Rogers (Dacula, Ga./Mill Creek) collected 27 assists and 10 digs.

 
UP NEXT:

• William Paterson faces Occidental and host Pomona-Pitzer Saturday, Oct. 17, at 5:30 and 8:00 p.m. ET, respectively.

 
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• http://www.wpupioneers.com/socialmedia