College Volleyball Final – Guilford 3, Meredith 2

Greensboro, N.C. – Sophomore Brittany DeCesare posted a career-high 20 kills in Guilford’s 3-2 win (25-16, 22-25, 20-25, 25-19, 15-13) over visiting Meredith College Thursday night in the Ragan-Brown Field House.

The Quakers won the opening set but trailed 2-1 after the third set. The Avenging Angels hit .429 in the third, led by senior Cori Spade (7 kills) and junior Molly Markley (6 kills). Guilford responded with a fourth set victory, gaining them the momentum necessary to stage a comeback.

Guilford fans erupted in the decisive fifth set, as a Meredith service error created an opening when the Quakers were down 11-7. DeCesare had four kills in the Quakers’ final 8-2 run to clinch the match.

Rookie Kelsey Ruehling recorded 13 kills and junior Malikah French added nine. Classmate setter Taylor Whitley had a game-high 45 assists and 19 digs in the contest. Freshman defensive specialist Brooke Herr tallied 30 digs. French and classmate Meredith Foscue assisted with three blocks apiece. Guilford recorded seven blocks on the night, including one solo block from rookie Aly Haslam. DeCesare, Ruehling and French each contributed three service aces.

Spade posted a game-high 21 kills for Meredith and three service aces. Markley added three kills and the team’s lone solo block. Senior setter Kara Baughman had 44 assists and 12 digs on the night. Freshman defensive specialist Ally White had a team-high 19 digs.

The Quakers play their next home match Friday, October 12 at 6:30 p.m. against Hollins University.