The Elizabethtown College Blue Jays took on the Drew University Rangers in a Landmark Conference matchup. Etown had locked themselves into the playoff position, butDrew was looking to sneak into a playoff spot, positioned sixth entering the game.
Etown and Drew split points fairly evenly through the first few points, led by graduate middle blocker Kinsey Reuwer, first-year middle blocker Tori Obarow, and junior outside hitter Lucy Stanek. Drew put together a rally, gaining a three point lead. However, Obarow led the charge with an ace and a kill to give Etown a 10-7 lead.
Etown continued pouring on the points in the first, with Stanek picking up two more kills, first-year setter Zoey Henning picking up a kill and junior libero Emma Rizzuto securing the eight point lead with an ace.
Drew wasn’t done yet, clawing their way back from the eight point deficit after scoring eight of the next 10 set points. Etown got their momentum back late, with a kill by junior outside hitter Bailey McFeaters, followed by a kill and a block by Reuwer to secure the set win 25-20.
With the block to secure the set win, Reuwer picked up her 100th season and career block as she continues to tear up the Landmark with her offensive and defensive efforts this season.
Etown wouldn’t let the Rangers get close through the second set as McFeaters, sophomore right side Aubrey Sullivan and Reuwer were responsible for the first three points. Drew tried to pull the set within reach; however, Obarow put together back to back aces to give Etown a five point lead.
Every time the Rangers would get a point in their favor, it seemed like Etown had an answer, with Stanek picking up three kills, Obarow with two kills, and McFeaters ended the set with a kill to secure a 25-13 set win.
The Blue Jays continued their momentum in the third set with a 7-1 lead after Stanek, Obarow and Reuwer added four kills combined. Stanek added three more kills to increase Etown’s lead to 11 in the set as they continued pouring on the points. It seemed as though Etown couldn’t be stopped as they cruised ahead to a 15-point lead and stayed at that mark as they defeated Drew 25-10 in the set and 3-0 in the match.
Stanek led the team with 12 kills, followed by Obarow with 11 kills and McFeaters with nine kills. Obarow added three aces of the team’s eight, with Rizzuto and first-year defensive specialist Nikki Klages both recording two aces each. Henning added 17 assists and senior right side Marah Glenn added another 14 assists en route to the conference win.
The Blue Jays after the weekend move to 20-9 on the year and finish as the three seed in the Landmark Conference. Etown will face off at home for the first round of the Landmark Conference playoff matchup against No. 6 seeded Susquehanna University on Nov. 10.
