College of Charleston 3, Wofford 0
CHARLESTON, S.C. - The College of Charleston volleyball team came back from an eight point deficit in the second game of the match to beat the Wofford Terriers 3-0 Saturday at Carolina First Arena (25-11, 25-23, 25-18).
With the win the Cougars clinched the regular season Southern Conference championship.
Senior Whitney Russell led the Cougars with 10 kills and 11 digs and junior Elyse Chubb added nine kills, hitting .500. Senior Cole Dawley recorded her 15th double-double of the season with 29 assists and 11 digs.
The Cougars (26-5, 14-1) dominated the first set against Wofford (12-21, 2-13), as they hit .400 and held the Terriers to a .074 hitting percentage.
In the second game Wofford elevated their offensive play and jumped out to an 18-10 advantage over the Cougars. CofC countered with a 14-3 run to bring the score to a set point at 24-21 as Russell led the effort with six kills in the set. Chubb closed out the match with a kill as the Cougars took firm control of the match heading into what would be the final game.
The Cougars return to action tomorrow as they host Furman, the only team to have beat CofC in conference play. Prior to the 2p.m. match the Cougars will honor their four seniors.
Furman 3, The Citadel 0
CHARLESTON, S.C. - Sophomore Chandler Ambrester posted a double-double with 13 kills and 11 digs to lead the Furman volleyball team to a 3-1 (25-20, 26-24, 23-25, 25-20) win over The Citadel Saturday afternoon in Charleston, S.C.
After battling to a 17-17 tie in the first set, Furman went on a 6-1 run to take a 23-18 advantage. The Citadel scored two-straight points to cut into the Paladin lead before Furman capitalized off a Bulldog attack error and a block by junior Kelly Kirby and sophomore Caroline Adams to win the first set 25-20.
The two teams again fought through a close second set, with a tie score of 12 apiece mid-way through the set. The Paladins then built an 18-15 lead before the Bulldogs came back to tie the match at 19-19. The teams were tied at 20, 21, and 22 before the Paladins scored off a Citadel service error and a kill by Ambrester to take a 24-22 advantage. The Bulldogs again fought back to tie the match at 24-24, but an additional Ambrester kill and a block by Adams and junior Alexis Shaffer gave the Paladins a 26-24 set two win and a 2-0 set lead at the break.
Furman jumped out to an 8-1 lead early in the third set before the Citadel mounted a come-back and tied the score at 15 apiece. The teams remained tied at 19-19 before the Bulldogs went on a 4-1 run to establish a 23-20 lead. The Paladins came within one point off a Bulldog attack error and a block by Adams and Shaffer, but a final kill by Tatum Jestila sealed the 25-23 third-set victory for the Citadel.
The Bulldogs took an 11-5 advantage to open the fourth set, but the Paladins scored four-straight points to cut the lead to 11-9. The Citadel again added to their lead, going ahead 16-12, before Furman scored six-straight points to take a 17-16 lead. After the Bulldogs tied the match at 17 apiece, the Paladins never looked back, scoring on six of the next seven points to eventually win the set 25-20 and secure the 3-1 match win.
Kirby also posted a double-double in the match, leading Furman with 23 assists and 16 digs. Adams notched nine kills and a team-high seven blocks, while junior Alexis Shaffer added eight kills and five blocks. Sophomore Natalie Braun recorded 15 digs in the victory, and freshman Sarah McCarthy added 17 assists for the Paladins.
Jesila recorded a double-double with 11 kills and 19 digs to lead the Citadel (7-24, 1-14 SoCon). Jessica Maas also had a double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs, while Meredith Mutispaugh notched a team-high 20 assists for the Bulldogs.
Furman (17-10, 11-4 SoCon) will play at the College of Charleston Sunday at 2 p.m. to conclude the 2010 regular season. The Paladins will open the 2010 Southern Conference Tournament on Nov. 19 in Boone, N.C.
Elon 3, Western Carolina 0
ELON, N.C. - The Elon University volleyball team already knew going in to tonight's match with Western Carolina that they had earned at least a share of the Southern Conference North Division title. But after tonight's sweep of the Catamounts, 3-0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-20), the Phoenix won the division outright and the top north seed in next weekend's conference tournament.
With the win, Elon improves to 20-13 on the year and 11-6 in SoCon play. Western Carolina ends its season 6-26 (1-15 SoCon).
Seniors Lauren Copenhagen, Sarah Schermerhorn and Lizzie West all performed well on senior night combining for 16 kills, 21 digs and four blocks. Juniors Caroline Lemke and Traci Stewart led the way for Elon with Lemke earning 11 kills for a .625 attack percentage and Stewart recording eight kills with no errors for a .421 attack percentage. Junior Megan McMahon tallied a match-high 36 assists to help the Phoenix to a team .298 attack percentage.
On defense, sophomore Ali Deatsch recorded 18 digs for the Phoenix, while Stewart earned four blocks and Lemke finished with three. Overall, Elon out blocked Western Carolina, 7-3.
Off the service of Stewart, the Phoenix jumped out to a 14-2 lead in the first set with Copenhagen and Schermerhorn contributing with three kills each. With the score at 19-6, Elon went on another run, this time of three points, to move the advantage to 16 points at 22-6. Even with a five-point Western run to make the score 24-12, the Phoenix's lead was too much for the Catamounts and a kill by Copenhagen ended the set, 25-12.
In the second set, with the score only at a two-point Phoenix advantage at 9-7, Elon went on a 5-2 run off kills by Stewart and Lemke, as well as a service ace by Lemke, to move the score to 14-9. Later in the set with the score in favor of Elon, 19-15, three straight kills by the Phoenix, one by Lemke and two by sophomore Allison Johnson, helped Elon on a 6-1 run to close out the set 25-16.
The Catamounts came out of the break strong to tie the game at four-all, but a four point Elon run that included two kills by Schermerhorn gave the Phoenix an 8-4 lead. With the score at a 12-9 Elon advantage, a 5-2 Phoenix run moved the lead to six points at 17-11. Elon increased its lead to nine points after a four-point run spurred by a kill from Stewart. In the end the set and match lead were too much for Western and the Phoenix finished the sweep, 25-20.
Elon's next match will be in the first round of the SoCon Volleyball Championship. After winning the North Division, the Phoenix will play on Friday, Nov. 19 at 4:30 p.m. against the fourth seed of the South Division. The conference tournament will conclude on Sunday, Nov. 21 with the championship match.
Chattanooga 3, Davidson 1
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga volleyball team's three seniors right side Jessica Scott (Lawrence, Kan.), setter Bailee Chastain (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and middle blocker Courtney Barnes (Franklin, Tenn.) stepped up their play during their final collegiate match to help the Lady Mocs record a, 3-1 (25-14, 25-18, 18-25, 25-17), victory against Davidson at Maclellan Gym on Saturday. Chastain added her 22nd career double-double with 40 assists and 14 digs, while sophomore outside Heather Parman (Ooltewah, Tenn.) notched another with 11 kills and 13 digs.
"It is always fun on senior day to win," said head coach Lisa Rhodes. "I think Jessica Scott played phenomenally. It was nice to see her play the way she did on the front line. It is always more fun when you win and we beat a good Davidson team."
Leading the match with 14 kills and a .500 hitting percentage, Scott had one of the matches of her career as she also recorded seven digs and four assisted blocks. Fellow classmate Barnes registered 10 kills along with two blocks.
"It will be tough to replace those three seniors," said Rhodes reflecting on their careers. "Because they are all overachievers in every way. They work hard both in the classroom and on the court. They have been very dependable, loyal and consistent and just have been a joy to coach."
Throughout the match, Chastain was able to distribute the ball on the attack as four players recorded at least 10 kills. Along with Scott. Barnes and Parman, sophomore outside Meagan Ernd reached 10 kills with just a single mistake for a.391 percentage.
"Bailee is a utility player for sure and can do it all," said Rhodes. "They had a hard time with her serve. She picked up some balls and her net play was amazing. She remained calm, ran the offense and found the right hitters that could the ball down."
Chattanooga totaled 10 blocks with junior Ellie Kuhn (San Antonio, Texas) leading the way with eight including two solo.
Sophomore libero Paula Passmore (Merrit Island, Fla.) paced the match with 19 digs and was one of three players to record two service aces including freshman Andrea Johnson (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.) and Chastain.
A key to the match was the Lady Mocs ability to contain Davidson's (16-16, 7-9 SoCon) Sarah Beth Peele, who leads the conference in kills. Chattanooga forced her into 12 kills with blocks and sound defense, but the smart hitter was able to come away with 11 kills for the match increasing her season total to 411.
"It is emotional and very surreal," said Chastain about senior night. "It is surreal counting down the days because we knew that this would be our last game. Knowing that it is your last game in a sport that you played for 10-15 years is very surreal. It is a mixture of emotions. I am happy that we ended on a win, but I am sad that I don't get to play the game I love and be around the team anymore. I am excited the future and starting a new chapter in my life."
After a ceremony honoring the three senior's four-year careers, the Lady Mocs came out firing to take a 2-0 lead in the first set. The Wildcats proved to be tough tying the match at seven before Chattanooga pulled away on kills by Ernd (2) and Chastain before a service ace from Passmore provided it with a 13-8 advantage.
"We started off really strong, which was really good to see," said Scott, who led the match with 14 kills. "We were excited and ready to go from the start."
The Lady Mocs stretched their lead to 21-11 scoring on seven-straight rallies as Scott capped it off with a kill as the team would go on to take a 1-0 lead in the match , 25-14.
"I was excited that Jess [Scott] had a good game," said Chastain. "For Jess to have one of the games of her career, I think that is what senior day is all about."
Beginning the second set was Chattanooga with a 4-2 advantage on a block by Scott and Kuhn. Davidson would fight back though and tie the set at 9 and 10. Once again, Chattanooga rallied to a 14-10 lead on kills be Scott, Kuhn and Ernd and finished on a block by Scott and Kuhn.
A kill by Scott put the Lady Mocs on top, 22-16, and Chattanooga would close out the set, 25-18, to take a 2-0 lead into intermission. There were seven ties and four lead changes through the first two frames.
"It was perseverance and you can use that through all aspects of life," said Barnes discussing her slow start. "Bailee did a good job of mixing up sets. When they were stuck on me, Megan [Ernd] or Heather [Parman] would get a kill on the outside, which would in turn open me back up."
The third stanza saw Davidson come out firing on all cylinders as they took a 7-3 lead. The Lady Mocs battled back in tying it at nine before the Wildcats stretched their lead to four, 13-9. Davidson would continue building on its lead and take the set 25-18.
"I give Davidson credit because they picked up their play in the third set," said Rhodes. "We had a lot harder time putting the ball on the floor. I am just proud of the team for finishing the match in four and I think that speaks a lot for how far we have come."
As the fourth frame began, all Chattanooga had to do for motivation in closing out a match was to look back on its last home match as UNCG took the final three sets for a five-set win. Strong serving from Chastain gave the Lady Mocs a 4-0 lead, but the Wildcats would tie it at four.
The teams battled back and forth as the lead did not stretch to more than two until a kill by Ernd gave Chattanooga a 16-13 advantage. With a 19-16 lead, the Lady Mocs closed on the set scoring on sis of the final seven rallies. Barnes put an exclamation mark on her career with back-to-back kills to end the match, 25-17.
Chattanooga closed its season on Saturday night as they fall one game shy of following Davidson to the SoCon Championship in Boone, N.C. next weekend. The Lady Mocs look forward to their preparations in the spring and get ready for the 2011 season.
UNCG 3, Appalachian State 1
GREENSBORO, N.C. - UNCG received double-digit kills from five different players on Senior Day as the Spartans defeated Appalachian State, 3-1 (22-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-22), on Saturday night in Fleming Gymnasium. Prior to the match, seniors Alissa Beaudway, Billi Baker, Kayren Finney, Kimiko Naito and Caley Redden were honored in their final home match of their careers.
The Spartans improved their overall record to 21-11 and 9-7 in the Southern Conference.
Appalachian State finished the regular season with an 18-11 record and 9-7 in the league. Due to UNCG's two wins over Appalachian State this season, the Spartans will receive the two seed in the North Division, while Appalachian State will be the three seed.
"It was a great match, it was a good win," said coach Patrick Nicholas. "I'm so proud of the team. We struggled and we had some great talks and meetings this week and our heart is back. We were picked to finish fourth and we finished second. This is huge for Spartan volleyball."
Ariel Newman led all players offensively as she had a match-high 13 kills and had 16 digs for a double-double. Redden also had a double-double as she posted 12 kills and 15 digs. Fellow seniors Baker and Finney also had double-digit kills with 11 apiece and Olivia Humphries chipped in 10 kills. Ari Lysacek also had a double-double with 46 assists and 18 digs.
Alison Blasingame led the Mountaineers as she had 12 kills, while Maggie Seeds and Caroline Sedon added 11 kills each. Libero Courtney Rhein also had a match-high 27 digs in the losing effort.
Just like the match in Boone earlier this season, all of the sets were decided by three points or less.
In the opening set, the Mountaineers jumped out to an 8-3 lead, but the Spartans came right back to tie the set at 10 on an ASU attack error. From then on the two teams traded points for most of the set. UNCG held a narrow 19-18 lead late in the set before Appalachian State won the next five points to take a 23-19 lead. The Spartans cut it to 24-22, but the Mountaineers got a kill from Meghann Forshey to win the opening set, 25-22.
The second set was just as close between the two teams as the Mountaineers held a 12-10 lead midway through the set. UNCG took the next five points to go ahead 15-12, a lead it would never relinquish. The biggest Spartan lead was 21-18 before ASU cut the lead to 23-22. UNCG came right back with a pair of kills sandwiched around a kill by Forshey to win the set, 25-23, and tie the match at one heading into intermission.
Appalachian State took control early in the third set like it did in the first set with a 7-3 lead. Once again, the Spartans mounted a mid-set rally as they ran off eight-straight points to take an 18-14 lead. The Mountaineers tied the match at 21 and again at 23 before Redden delivered a kill and solo block to give UNCG the set, 25-23.
The fourth and final set was the closest as the teams were tied 10 times and swapped the lead on eight occasions. UNCG led just 13-11 in the set before the Mountaineers went on a 5-0 run to go ahead, 16-13.
UNCG immediately responded with a 6-0 run of its own to retake the lead, 19-16. Appalachian State countered with four-straight points later in the set to pull in front, 22-21. Once again though, the Spartans came right back with four-straight points of their own to win the set, 25-22.
The Spartans will return to action next weekend at the Southern Conference Championships in Boone, N.C. UNCG, the two seed in the North Division, will face Furman, the three seed in the South Division, on Friday at 10 a.m.