PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Pace University Volleyball battled through five sets against Wilmington University (Del.) on Tuesday evening but ultimately fell 3-2 at Goldstein Fitness Center. The Setters moved to 7-9 overall while remaining 2-1 in Northeast 10 Conference play.
Wilmington took the opening set 25-20 before Pace responded with a 26-24 victory in the second. After the Wildcats regained control with a 25-15 third-set win, the Blue and Gold answered again, taking the fourth set 25-20 to force a decisive fifth frame.
Wilmington closed out the match with a 15-8 victory in the final set.
Kadence Ackmann led the Setters with 15 kills and 18 digs, while Ileann Alessandra Perez added 11 kills on a team-best .360 hitting percentage. Leah Mendez contributed seven kills, and Maggie Hamed and Keelah Chambliss each finished with five.
Alice Bender anchored the defense with a match-high-tying 31 digs, while Hamed added 16 digs and three service aces. Camila Rodriguez recorded 22 assists and two aces, while Aralyn Saulys dished out 19 assists.
Pace finished with 52 kills, 106 digs and six service aces. Wilmington recorded 46 kills and 109 digs, while holding a .139 to .059 advantage in hitting percentage.
The Setters return to Northeast 10 Conference action on Saturday, Oct. 17, when they travel to Colchester, Vt., to face Saint Michael's College at 1:00 p.m.
