LANCASTER, Pa. - Behind double-figure kills from three different players, the Franklin & Marshall Volleyball team defeated Muhlenberg in four sets to move on to the Centennial Conference semi-finals. With 25 assists on the night,
Liah Perez became the 12th player in program history to reach 1,000 in her career.
The Diplomats fell behind 4-2 to start the opening set, but later evened the score 5-5. After the Mules took an 11-9 lead moments later, F&M responded with a 7-0 run and did not trail for the remainder of the frame. Muhlenberg did manage to cut into the deficit, however, using a 6-2 run to get to within one. The Diplomats then gained breathing room with a 23-20 edge, but three straight points by the Mules leveled the score once again. F&M would go on to close out the stanza by winning back-to-back points to go up 1-0 in sets.
Opening up the second game with a 10-1 advantage, the Diplomats led for the entirety of the frame. F&M then grew its advantage to 16-3, and later finished the set by winning the final seven rallies.
Though the Diplomats jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the third stanza, Muhlenberg rallied to take an 11-10 edge after a 10-3 run. With the score tied 12-12, F&M scored four consecutive points before the Mules responded with eight straight points. After the Diplomats saved back-to-back game points, Isabella Pontrelli ended the set with a kill to put Muhlenberg on the board.
The two teams started the final frame by going back-and-forth, as F&M took a 10-6 advantage to begin. However, the Mules once again chipped away at the deficit, and eventually took a 14-11 lead following a 6-0 run. The Diplomats immediately responded with a 9-2 run to take a 20-16 edge and did not look back for the remainder of the night. With F&M leading 24-20,
Gianna Mangiamele clinched the match with a kill to send the Diplomats to the semi-finals for a second straight season.
Mangiamele led F&M with 13 kills, while
Meredith Mangum posted 17 digs.
The Diplomats will take on Gettysburg on the road on Friday, November 10 at 7 p.m. with a spot in the championship match on the line.
