Westmoreland Rallies to Defeat CCAC in Four Sets

Westmoreland County Community College (WCCC) overcame a tough loss in the first set and powered through the final three sets to defeat the Community College of Allegheny County–Allegheny (CCAC-Allegheny) in four sets: 23-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-16. After dropping the first set 23-25, WCCC showed resilience and composure, turning the momentum in their favor to win the next three sets in convincing fashion and close out the match 3-1.

Westmoreland fell behind in the first set but was able rally back to make it a very close match. The rally fell just short though as they lost the first set 23-25. The second set saw a noticeable improvement in WCCC's execution. Reducing their attack errors and finding better rhythm, the team notched 6 kills on 27 attempts with only 2 errors for a .148 hitting percentage. Their defensive adjustments also stifled CCAC-Allegheny's offensive output, allowing WCCC to take the set 25-17 and even the match at one apiece. With confidence growing, Westmoreland maintained their edge in the third set. They recorded 7 kills and just 3 errors on 28 swings, again finishing with a .143 hitting percentage. Smart serving and strong net play helped them secure another 25-17 win to take a 2-1 lead in the match. Though their hitting percentage dipped in the final set (5 kills, 6 errors on 28 attacks, for -.036), WCCC capitalized on CCAC-Allegheny's mistakes and showcased strong defense and serve-receive to keep pressure on their opponents. Their ability to extend rallies and convert key points allowed them to pull away and seal the match with a 25-16 victory. WCCC coach, Skye Durst  praised the team's ability to rebound after the first set."We didn't start the way we wanted, but I'm proud of how the team regrouped and stuck to the game plan," said the coach. "Our defense stepped up, and we started to play smarter volleyball. It wasn't our cleanest match, but it was gritty and that's just as important."

With this win, Westmoreland gains valuable momentum heading into the next stretch of the season. If they can continue building on their defensive strengths and clean up the attack errors, they'll be a team to watch down the stretch. Their next match is a tri-match at Montgomery College where they will face both Montgomery Colleg and Baltimore City Community College.