PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Graduate student Peyton Oliver tallied a match-high 18 kills and became the JWU (Providence) women's volleyball program's all-time leader in kills to help the Wildcats advance to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship with a 3-1 win over St. Joseph's (ME) Thursday night at the Wildcat Center.

The Plainfield, New Jersey native added 14 digs as the No. 2 seed Wildcats (21-11) move on to face top-seeded Lasell on Saturday in Newton, Mass. for a chance to go to the NCAA Tournament. Freshman Skylar Winchester added 14 digs and 10 kills while classmate Finleigh Benkwitt racked up 10 kills, five blocks, and three aces as JWU won 25-10, 24-26, 29-27, and 25-13.

The Wildcats hit .458 in the opening set and grabbed the early lead behind four kills from both Benkwitt and Oliver, highlighted by the 1,505th of her career, which moved her past Annemarie Proto (2001-04) and into sole possession of first-place for career kills. Freshman Nevaeh Arnold picked up three service aces during that span.

The Monks rallied back to win the second set and tie the match at one as Benkwitt and Oliver each collected three kills during the set, and Nevaeh handed out six assists. JWU rallied back from a 20-15 deficit in the third to secure a 29-27 win and move in front two sets to one, seemingly taking the wind out of the sails of the Monks along the way.

A kill from Oliver – who registered six kills and six digs in the third set – and blocks from Benkwitt and classmate Bailey Koopman drew the match even at 24 before a point from Oliver and an ace from Benkwitt locked up a 2-1 lead. Junior and reigning GNAC Libero of the Week Sierra Nausieda was a key component of the comeback as she notched seven kills in the third.

Oliver continued to dominate offensively in the fourth, throwing down six kills en route to posting a .359 hitting pct. for the match. JWU ripped off nine-straight points to turn a 10-8 lead into a commanding 19-8 advantage, sparked by a pair of aces from sophomore Ellie McLennan.

Koopman finished her night with nine kills and seven blocks (two solo) while Arnold handed out 35 assists to go with 11 digs.