PIKE CREEK, Del. - The Goldey-Beacom College volleyball team could not keep pace with crosstown rival Wilmington as the Lightning fell, 3-0 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play Tues. night at the Joseph West Jones Center.  The Wildcats won by scores of 25-21, 25-16 and 25-16.

GBC falls to 4-5 (1-1 CACC) on the season with the loss, while Wilmington improves to 4-3 overall and 1-0 in league play. The Wildcats out-hit GBC .273 to .110 and held the advantage in service aces (6-1) and blocks (9-2).

Junior setter Monica Dempsey had a double-double with 19 assists and 14 digs while freshman Kadi McCoy led the Lightning with eight kills. Seniors Roni Shaner and Rebecca Stoffer each tallied seven kills for GBC as well.

The Wildcats were led by outside hitter Nicole Wiechecki and middle hitter Brittany Biddle, who recorded 15 and 10 kills, respectively on the night. Shannon Rumple directed the offense with a match-high 25 assists and also recorded a team-high nine digs.

In the first set, freshman Taylor Moyer (five kills, five digs, one service ace) and Shaner helped keep the Lightning within striking distance, closing a 10-point gap to a 20-16 deficit with three kills apiece. The Lightning battled to extend the match, closing to within three (24-21), but following a Wilmington timeout, the Wildcats closed out the set with a Biddle kill. GBC lost that set despite a better hitting percentage (.200 - to - .175).

GBC climbed out to an early 5-2 lead in set two, but a 7-0 Wilmington run made it 9-5, and the Wildcats took control of the set from that point on. The Lightning closed within three twice, but never got any closer. The 'Cats closed out the set on a 5-0 run to win, 25-16 and take a 2-0 match lead.

Wilmington took control immediately in the third set with a 5-1 lead, but the Lightning fought their way back to within one, 6-5. But when Wilmington regained the serve, Kasey Couch (three service aces, seven assists) led the Wildcats on a 7-0 rally with her strong jump-serve. After a Lightning point was scored on a Wilmington attack error, Wiechecki served for five points to complete what added up to a 12-1 Wilmington run and an 18-6 advantage.

Down 22-10, the Lightning mounted a 6-0 rally behind the serve of Dempsey and closed to within 22-16, but Wilmington scored the final three points to win the set (25-16) and the match. Sheri Hunley tallied the final kill for the Wilmington victory.

GBC is back in action on Sat., Sept. 17 as the Lightning visit CACC foe Nyack College for a 1 p.m. start.