COLUMBUS, Ga. – With junior outside hitter Marissa Mitter posting her first double-double of the season and a trio of Trojans each adding four kills apiece, the Anderson University volleyball opened the 2016 season by blanking Clark Atlanta, 3-0 (25-12, 25-12, 25-11) in the Hughston Clinic Invitational, Friday afternoon at the Lumpkin Center.
Anderson improved to 1-0 on the season, while Clark Atlanta dropped to 0-1 in the Panthers' season opener.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Mitter led all players with 11 kills behind a stellar .370 attack percentage, while adding 12 digs and four service aces. The senior duo of Rachel Burts and Jessica Harris, along with freshman Kathryn Hughes each notched four kills for the Trojans. Freshman setter Emily Conlin handed out a match-high 29 assists, with sophomore Emily Conard recording 16 digs and equaled a career-high with four service aces. Sophomores Megan Embry and Jayln Knight each added nine digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The Trojans jumped out to an early 6-2 lead and never trailed even though Clark Atlanta battled back to knot the score at eight apiece on an error by the Black and Gold. Anderson countered by reeling off a 12-3 run to take control of the set, as Conard posted three of her aces during the outburst. With the Trojans holding a double-digit lead, Mitter notched back-to-back aces and Conlin scored the final point on a kill.
Second Set
AU took a quick 13-3 lead and maintained a comfortable cushion through the remainder of the set, with Mitter knocking down three of her kills during the frame.
Third Set
The Trojans steadily built a 14-4 advantage behind serves from sophomore Katie Lloyd, with Mitter closing the set with five consecutive serves after the Trojans doubled up Clark Atlanta, at 20-10.
ANDERSON STAT OF THE DAY
The 12 service aces by AU marked the most since notching a dozen aces versus Brevard last September.
NOTABLES
- The match marked the beginning of a season-opening nine-game road swing for the Trojans.
- The match marked the first-ever meeting between the Trojans and Panthers.
- With the win, Anderson stayed perfect in four meetings with teams from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
- The win marked the third straight season, and fifth time in seven years, that AU has claimed a win in its season-opener.
- Anderson held the Panthers to a -.032 hitting percentage on the afternoon.
UP NEXT
Anderson will wrap up its visit to Columbus State with a pair of matches on Saturday, beginning with 10 a.m. contest versus West Georgia, while squaring off against Armstrong State at 2:30 p.m.
