Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2
The Kentucky Wesleyan volleyball team opened the season 2-0 for the first time since 2010 on Friday, Sept. 6 by sweeping Alderson-Broaddus (25-21, 25-14, 26-24) and Robert Morris (Ill.) (25-14, 25-14, 15-14) at the Illinois-Springfield Invitational in Springfield, Ill.
KWC fell behind by as many as four points early in the opening set against Alderson-Broaddus. Midway through the first set the Panthers used a 5-1 run to take an 18-16 lead. KWC scored six of the final nine points to take the opening set 25-21.
During the second set the Panthers went ahead from the beginning and closed out the set with their largest lead winning by a score of 25-14.
In the third and final set the Battler again took an early lead and had a chance to take the match to a fourth set, but the Panthers fought their way back and scored the final four points to win the set 26-24.
Sophomore
Dallas Zimmerman led KWC in kills, tallying 10. Junior
Chelsea Brothers finished with three service aces and freshman
Summer Alford collected 11 digs and two blocks.
The Panthers ended the match with a .373 attacking percentage, seven service aces, 38 digs and three team blocks. Alderson-Broaddus posted a .309 attacking percentage, five service aces, 26 digs and four team blocks.
Robert-Morris (Ill.) held their ground against KWC early through the first set, but the Panthers used a 6-0 run and a 4-0 run to pull away from the Eagles to take the game 25-14.
The Eagles came out strong in the second set building a 7-1 advantage, but the Panthers had proven earlier in the day that they were capable of overcoming such a challenge and regained the momentum quickly before eventually taking the set 25-14.
After falling behind 3-1 in the third set KWC scored seven straight points, including four points from Brothers. Robert Morris struggled toward the end of the set and the Panthers were able to close out the match 25-14.
Junior
Rae Garvison finished the match with a team high nine kills and classmate
Hannah Hudnall tallied 12 digs along with three service aces.
KWC posted a .402 attacking percentage, 44 kills, nine service aces and two blocks against the Eagles.
Action continues tomorrow for the Panthers at 3 p.m. when they face the tournament host Illinois-Springfield.
