Statesboro, Ga.—The SC State women's volleyball team played what is perhaps the most competitive two matches of the season as went 1-1 on day two of the Bash in the Boro presented by Springhill Suites and hosted by Georgia Southern. The Lady Bulldogs will conclude the three-day tournament against host Georgia Southern Saturday (Sept. 17) at 1 p.m.
In its first match of the day, SC State (5-8) battled Ohio University (6-5) the entire match before dropping the match, 3-0 (23-25, 19-25 15-25). Despite the sweep, the Lady Bulldogs displayed poise and hustle throughout. The first set was the tightest as SC State fought from 8-4 down early to pull within two at 8-10. The Lady Bulldogs kept pressing in the set and eventually forcing a tie at 14-14. SC State used a 4-1 run to take its first lead of the set at 18-15. The Bobcats rebounded using a 7-0 run to take a 23-18 lead and what appeared to be control of the first set. SC State would not be done as they went on a 4-0 lead to pull within one at 22-23. The Bobcats went on to take set one, 25-23.
Sets two and three were equally as competitive over the first 15 points of each set. The Bobcats closed Set Two with a13-6 run en route to a 19-25 victory and they used an 11-1 run to close Set Three at 15-25 and capture the match, 3-0.
For the match,
Desire Waller led all attackers with 13 kills. She also picked up six digs and one service ace in the contest. Redshirt junior
Shabree Roberson contributed eight kills with three total blocks while senior
Bria Brimmer put up 25 set assists in the loss.
Ohio was led by Katie Post with 12 kills. Bailey Karst and Leah Petrovich put up double-digit assists with 15 and 13, respectively for the Bobcats in the victory.
In its second match of the day, SC State defeated Presbyterian, 3-2, (20-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-19, 15-9). After dropping the first set, the Lady Bulldogs quickly regrouped and began Set 2 with tenacity. After exchanging points over the first 12 points SC State went on a run to jump ahead 17-13 over Presbyterian. After fighting through a mini 3-0 run by the Blue Hose which pulled them within one, 16-17, the Lady Bulldogs put together an 8-1 run to close the set, 25-17. SC State had a good hitting set as they finished with a .303 for the set.
After dropping the third set, 22-25, and going down 2-1, SC State did not show any signs of being done. Despite losing the set, the Lady Bulldogs had their best hitting game of the match at .333. SC State began Set Four on a roll, jumping out to a 7-3 advantage. Presbyterian continued to fight, putting together a 5-1 run to tie the game at 8-8. After exchanging side-outs, SC State took a two-point lead, 11-9, and never relinquished it. The Lady Bulldogs enjoyed its biggest lead of five, 18-13, before going on to take the Set Four by six, 25-19, and force a fifth and deciding set.
The Lady Bulldogs maintained its intensity, starting Set Five with a 6-3. SC State increased its lead to 8-5 and would eventually go on to win Set Five, 15-9, and the match 3-2. SC State ended its five-game losing streak with the victory over Presbyterian.
For the match, SC State hit .232 as a team and recorded nine team blocks. The Lady Bulldogs had two players with double-digit kills and four players with double-digit digs.
Desire Waller and
Shabree Roberson continued to lead the Lady Bulldogs efforts. Waller recorded 18 kills, 12 digs with three total blocks while Roberson put down 12 kills with five total blocks and three service aces. Waller and
E. Paige Webb picked up 12 digs and
Bria Brimmer and
Brendell Studnicka ha 10 digs a piece in the match. Brimmer ran an effective offense putting up 40 set assists.
Ohio had three players to record double-figure kills led by Presley Mabrey with 16. Rachel Hall put down 15 and Caroline Cann added 11 kills for the Blue Hose. Mabrey also picked up 10 digs for the Presbyterian in the loss.
