WAYNESBURG, PA (March. 19) - The Yellow Jackets proved up to the challenge when they hosted nationally ranked Duquesne University Thursday afternoon at the Rudy Marisa Field House.  The Jackets (2-9) dropped two sets early but rallied back, taking set three before falling in set four as they lose to Duquesne (19-25, 22-25, 25-20, 20-25).  Though the season has proven rough, the growth and resilience of such a young squad have made believers out of many as the team begins preparing for next January.

“This season was tough.” Commented Head Coach, James Patterson.  “The fact of the matter is we just played even with a very talented and well recognized team.  As we mature through the off-season and with a little help from our incoming recruits we will learn to finish and that's why next season will be a rush and you can count on that.” 

Waynesburg began the first set with a strong defensive display with three different Jackets posting digs and two consecutive blocks as the score reached double digits with Waynesburg behind (10-8).  Duquesne delivered an offensive boost striking from the middle and the strong side in two straight points before side-out gave the Jackets the ball back now behind (12-8)..  Later in the set the squad would come within 2 points of Duquesne down (19-17) but thanks to two straight service aces and a missed serve by the Jackets, Duquesne would hold on to win the set (25-19).

The Jackets would dig themselves into a hole early in set two as they allowed three opening points on serve.  Sophomore setter, Jake Buss would open up for the squad with a service ace before losing the next point off a partially blocked attack by Duquesne.  The Jackets would bring themselves even at 5 points apiece after two attacks by sophomore weak side hitter Jesse Famularo.  After an exchange of points the Jackets would take the lead (10-9) before costly hitting errors would give Duquesne four straight points with the Yellow Jackets now trailing (14-12).  Waynesburg would work their way through two rallies winning points off two blocks by Jake Buss and senior middle blocker, Brad Davis to keep within striking distance but would stumble within one point of Duquesne allowing four points to hit the floor with the score in favor of Duquesne at (21-18).  Waynesburg would recover two point but would not be able to close the three point gap losing the second set (22-25).

Set three would leave Duquesne reeling as the Jackets played even through ten points thanks to one of the best offensive and defensive combination plays in club history winning four of five major rallies with four different Jackets finding points on Duquesne's side.  Sophomore weak side Jesse Famularo would rise to the occasion as would sophomore setter, Jake Buss combining for eight digs in six major points.  Duquesne would be forced to take a time out late trailing the Jackets (15-19).  Freshman defensive specialist, Clayton Reiber would close out the upset with a service ace giving the Jackets a (25-20) upset win bring the Jackets within 1 set of Duquesne.

Duquesne would not go quietly as they opened the fourth set with a four point service run before the Jackets would call time out to regroup.  Serve receive proved to be costly for Duquesne as Waynesburg created opportunities with great serving forcing Duquesne to play easy shots to the Jackets.  The Jackets would call time out after 3 more errors off blocks with the score (12-16).  The Yellow Jackets would again battle back within two points before two more blocking errors and a missed attack cost them the match with the final score of set four (25-20).