WILKES-BARRE, PA- The Keystone College women's volleyball team continued its 2026 campaign Tuesday evening, traveling to Wilkes University for a non-conference matchup at the Arnaud C. Marts Center. The Giants battled throughout the three-set contest, with Wilkes ultimately earning a 3-0 victory by set scores of 25-14, 25-11 and 25-16.
Keystone came out looking to establish its offense early, with the Giants recording nine kills in the opening set. Isabella Buonopane (Wake Forest, N.C./Archbishop Williams) and Hannah Ely (Wyalusing, PA/Wyalusing Valley Jr./Sr.) helped lead the attack, while Anna Johnson (Niles, MI/Niles) and Naema Alatorre (Brownsville, TX/Idea Frontier) worked to distribute the ball and create opportunities for the Giants at the net.
Wilkes took the opening set, but Keystone continued to compete and looked to find its rhythm as the match progressed. The Giants finished the evening with 20 kills, led by Buonopane's six kills on 18 attacks. Ely added four kills on 18 attempts, while Nakaya Cridge (New Castle, IN/South Henry School Corporation) recorded three kills. Sydney Frasier (Loveland, CO/Thompson Valley), Rachel Davis (Mont Belvieu, TX/Barbers Hill) and Kayjanai Gatlin (San Bernardino, CA/Rialto) each contributed two kills to the Keystone attack.
The Giants continued to generate opportunities in the second set, finishing with six kills. Johnson provided a strong presence in the setting game, recording a team-high 11 assists over the three sets. Alatorre added four assists, while Reyes contributed another assist as Keystone continued to work the ball around the court.
Keystone's defensive effort was also a key part of the evening. The Giants collected 42 digs, with Reyes leading the team with 11. Ely followed with nine digs, while Buonopane, Alatorre and Johnson each recorded six digs. The defensive work helped Keystone extend several rallies and continue competing for points throughout the match.
The Giants also made an impact from the service line. Buonopane, Reyes, Johnson and Aliya Noriega (Anchorage, AK/West Anchorage) each recorded an ace, while Reyes also finished with four service errors. Keystone totaled four aces and continued to apply pressure with its serving throughout the match.
At the net, Cridge recorded a solo block and a block assist, while Aliya Noriega (Anchorage, AK/West Anchorage) added a solo block. Gatlin also recorded a block assist as Keystone continued to battle in front of the net.
Wilkes opened the match with a 25-14 win in the first set before taking the second set, 25-11. Keystone continued to battle in the third set and posted its highest point total of the night, scoring 16 points. The Giants recorded five kills in the final set, with the Colonels closing out the match, 25-16.
Buonopane finished as Keystone's leading scorer with seven points, followed by Ely and Cridge with four points apiece. Gatlin added 2.5 points, while Frasier and Davis each finished with two.
Despite the three-set result, Keystone continued to see contributions throughout its lineup, with 12 Giants seeing action during the match. The Giants will look to carry those efforts into their next contest as they continue through the early portion of the 2026 season.
Keystone finished the night with 20 kills, 18 assists, four aces, two solo blocks, two block assists and 42 digs.
