![Fanshawe Women’s Volleyball Wins First Match of the Season](/sports/wvball/2023-24/photos/0004/DRP5934.jpg?max_width=600)
(London, Ontario) – At home on Sunday afternoon, the Fanshawe Women's Volleyball team (1-8) won in a four-set match against the Boreal Vipers (1-10).
In set one, the Falcons started off strong and took a 4-1 lead. Kills by Fanshawe's Grace McLean (Dorchester, ON) and Monika Ziolkowiski (Mississauga, ON) pushed the Falcons' advantage over the visitors. Sammie Gibson (London, ON) recorded a kill to put the Birds up 12-8. Later in the set, Boreal went on a run and took over the lead. A kill by Ari Peake (London, ON) would bring the Birds within three, but the visitors took set one 25-22.
Once again, the Falcons got off to a great start in set two. Hannah Onyema (St. Thomas, ON) recorded three consecutive aces, resulting in a 5-2 edge over Boreal. A block by Onyema and a kill by McLean would push the score to 11-5 in Fanshawe's favour. Great net play by Fanshawe would further their dominance and they took the second set with ease by a score of 25-15.
The Birds took a commanding 10-3 lead in the third with kills from Olivia Burberry (Dorchester, ON), Gibson, Peake, and Ashlyn Gooder (St. Catharines, ON). On back-to-back plays, Burberry set up Peake who smashed the ball to the opponent's floor. A kill by Taryn Elgersma (London, ON) increased the Birds' advantage by seven. On the final play of the set, Burberry found Peake again and the Falcons took set three 25-18.
To begin set four, Fanshawe and Boreal exchanged the lead numerous times. Down 18-14, the Falcons began to find their groove. The Birds won five consecutive rallies to take the edge with kills from McLean and Peake. Gooder sealed the victory for Fanshawe after recording her sixth kill of the match. Peake led the Birds with 17 points within the four sets. McLean and Gibson also contributed with 10 points each.
The Falcons will play their final game of the semester on the road against the Sheridan Bruins (2-7) on Wednesday, November 29.