URBANA, Ohio - The Gannon Lady Knights opened the Urbana Volleyball Invitational with a 3-0 sweep of the host Blue Knights on Friday (Sept. 15) night. The Lady Knights defeated Urbana, 25-16, 25-19, 25-21.

Maggie Wilhelm (Euclid, Ohio/Lake Catholic) issued the first kill of the match, providing an early spark for the Lady Knights. Kelsey Ansec (Solon, Ohio/Solon) followed with another kill and Gannon held an early 4-1 advantage.  Urbana went on a run that tied the match up at 10. Gannon called timeout and came out the other side collecting three-straight points that included another Wilhelm kill. The Lady Knights began to stretch lead as they took a 15-13 lead to 22-13. The Lady Knights went on to take the set, 25-16.

Set two began to move in the direction of the Lady Knights midway through the set. Carolyn Knollman (Cincinnati, Ohio/Saint Ursula Academy) collected a kill to push the Lady Knights first into double-digits, up 10-6. From there, Gannon went on a 10-2 run which included Rebekah Smith (Churchville, N.Y./Churchville-Chili), Ally Smith (Penfield, N.Y./Webster Schroeder), Ansec and Wilhelm kills. The Lady Knights took a commanding 20-8 lead. Urbana tried to mount a late comeback but Gannon held on for a 25-19 set victory.

Like the first two sets, Gannon jumped out to an early 10-4 lead. Kills from A. Smith and Ansec pushed the lead out to 15-6.  Urbana made another charge and pulled to within 20-19. The Blue Knights couldn't even the score up, however. The Lady Knights used a R. Smith and Wilhelm block to close out the set, 25-21.

A.  Smith led the Lady Knights with 13 kills and a .429 hitting percentage. Ansec also issued double-digit kills with 11. Knollman led the way in assists (32) and Sara Crandall (Cattaraugus, N.Y./Cattaraugus-Little Valley) dug a team-high 16 balls.

Gannon improved to 8-2 overall while Urbana dropped to 3-7.

The Lady Knights return to the Urbana Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 16, for a pair of matches against Roberts Wesleyan and Lindenwood. GU will take on the Redhawks at 11 a.m. followed by the Lions at 3 p.m.