SC State Women’s Volleyball Holds off Bethune-Cookman to Pick Up First Win of the Season

Lady Bulldogs Opens Their 2013 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Play on a Winning Note

Sluch's Ace Lifted SC State Over Bethune-Cookman

Box Score

Orangeburg, S.C.—Sophomore Shandice Sluch served an ace on match point to give the SC State women's volleyball team its first win of the season, as they defeated Bethune-Cookman, 3-2, (25-20, 25-21, 27-25, 25-20, 18-16), in its 2013 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opener. The victory also marks the first win at the helm of the Lady Bulldogs for first year head coach Valerie Jones.

SC State was led by senior Desire Waller with 28 kills, 15 digs and two block assists. The Lady Bulldogs had two players to finish with double-digit kills as sophomore Marissa Lawrence put down 12 kills in the match. Sluch picked up 12 digs for SC State, who improved to 1-13 overall and 1-0 in the MEAC.

SC State took command of the match early, using a total of 29 kills and a .250-plus hitting percentage to win sets one and two and take a 2-0 advantage heading into intermission. After intermission the momentum of the match shifted into the direction of Bethune-Cookman. The Lady Wildcats recorded a total of 25 kills en route to winning sets three and four to tie the match at 2-2 to force a fifth and deciding set.

The teams battled back-and-forth during the final set of the match with neither team owning more than a three-point advantage, held by SC State at 8-5. Bethune-Cookman then used a 3-0 run to tie the set at 8-8, and force the Lady Bulldogs into a timeout. After the time-out the teams exchanged points and side-outs. Bethune-Cookman had the first opportunity to close out the set, as an error by SC State gave the Lady Wildcats the 14-15 lead. The Lady Bulldogs then called their final timeout of the set. A kill by SC State's junior Erica Pritchett out of the timeout tied the game at 15-15. The teams then exchanged side-outs before a block by Pritchett and Alyse Lewis put match point on SC State's serve at 17-16. The ace by Sluch gave SC State the set three win at 18-16, and the 3-2 match victory.

"It was a great win," said Jones. "After dropping the third set the ladies could have hung their heads but instead they did a good job of fighting until the end. They showed a lot of heart throughout the match." Jones continued, "I was very impressed with the way we competed. I think everyone hit their mark at key times in the match and Shandice (Sluch) executed the winning serve to perfection."

Bethune-Cookman, who dropped to 1-15 overall and 0-1 in the MEAC, was led in the by Delicia Pierre and Rhea Simon with 17 and 13 kills, respectively. Jennifer Jimenez picked up a game-high 19 digs for the Lady Wildcats.

SC State will return to action this Sunday, Sept. 29 when they host Florida A&M in a MEAC Conference match. First serve is set for 3 p.m. in Dukes Gym on the campus of SC State.

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