CHATTANOOGA, TENN. – Senior Kelly Kirby notched her fourteenth double-double of the season to lead the Furman volleyball team to a 3-0 (25-23, 25-12, 25-12) win over Chattanooga Thursday night in Maclellan Gym in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Furman jumped out to a early 5-2 lead to open set one, but Chattanooga scored five-straight points to tie the set at 5-all then take a 7-5 lead. The Mocs led throughout the set before the Paladins took advantage of a kill from Kirby, followed by a kill by senior Alexis Shaffer, to tie the set at 21-apiece. Furman continued its run, scoring on a Moc attack error, then another kill from Kirby gave the Paladins a 23-21 lead. UTC came within one point at 24-23 before a kill by junior Caroline Adams sealed the 25-23 set one victory for the Paladins.
The Paladins came out strong to open the second set, taking a quick 10-3 lead en route to a 25-12 victory. Following the break, Furman posted a 10-2 lead to start the third set, again holding on for a 25-12 win to gain the 3-0 match victory.
Kirby led the Paladins with 10 kills and 18 assists, while Carolyn Nicoletti paced the Furman defense with 21 digs. Junior Natalie Braun added a double-double with 16 assists and 15 digs, and Shaffer posted a team-high five blocks in the victory. Adams hit .389 with nine kills and three blocks in the match-up.
Chattanooga (5-21, 3-8 SoCon) was led by Jennifer Kuroski, who recorded nine kills. Bridget Camacho added 21 assists, and Melissa Green had 19 digs for the Mocs.