For The Dialog
WILMINGTON – Padua volleyball, coming off a remarkable comeback win against Archmere last week, didn’t waste any time on Tuesday night when the team swept St. Mark’s, 25-14, 25-16 and 25-23.
The Pandas (12-2) rolled in the first set behind sold defense and strong hitting from sophomore Emily Jarome and senior Lauren Mellor. St. Mark’s took a 13-12 lead in the second set before Padua’s Taylor Valletti tied it with a kill. The Pandas scored 12 of the next 15 points for the win.
In the third game, Padua jumped out to a 14-8 advantage, with the last of those points coming on a Jarome kill that was set up by a fine defensive play by Padua’s other senior, Megan Barnett. Erin Derick and Genevieve Hughes came up with some big kills of their own to bring St. Mark’s to within 22-19. The Spartans scored four straight to take a 23-22 lead, but two unforced errors and a kill by Valletti ended the match.
Jarome led the way with 16 kills for Padua, while Valletti added four. They close the regular season tonight at Ursuline, who defeated the Pandas earlier this season. That match is scheduled for a 7:15 p.m. start.
St. Mark’s received seven kills from Hughes. The Spartans (7-6) have two matches left, both at home. Delmar visits this afternoon at 5:30, while Ursuline is the opponent Saturday at 2 p.m.
