COLUMBUS, Ga. – Junior outside hitter Marissa Mitter posted her second double-double in as many days and freshman Emily Conlin dished out 64 assists in two matches, as the Anderson University volleyball wrapped up action at Columbus State's Hughston Clinic Invitational by splitting a pair of matches with West Georgia and Armstrong State.
Anderson improved to 2-1 on the young season by sweeping West Georgia, 3-0 (25-17, 25-7, 25-21), while Armstrong State defeated the Trojans, 3-1 (25-16, 24-26, 25-14, 25-15) in AU's second match of the day.
WEST GEORGIA
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Mitter posted 11 kills for the second consecutive contest, while fellow junior Serena Jackson and freshman Kathryn Hughes each added eight kills apiece. Senior middle blocker Rachel Burts recorded an impressive .625 attack percentage by knocking down five kills in eight attempts with no errors. Conlin handed out a match-high 31 assists, while sophomore Emily Conard posted 14 digs. Jackson also knocked down six total blocks and recorded an .800 hitting percentage on the strength of eight kills in 10 attempts and no errors.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
Jackson posted a pair of block assists, a kill and fueled an 8-1 surge that helped turn a 10-9 edge into an eight-point advantage.
Second Set
Anderson raced out to a 12-3 lead on the strength of a .630 attack percentage and never trailed en route to the 18-point win.
Third Set
The Trojans snapped a 15-15 deadlock with two straight points to take a lead it would not relinquish and held the Wolves at bay for the win.
ARMSTRONG STATE
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Mitter recorded 11 kills and 10 digs for another double-double, while also tallying three service aces. Freshman Rachel Mackey added seven kills, with Conlin dishing out 33 assists. Conard came up with 15 digs and sophomore Megan Embry notched 12 digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The Lady Pirates hit .378 in the opening set and used a 6-2 surge midway through the frame to take the lead.
Second Set
Anderson jumped out to an early 6-1 advantage, but saw Armstrong chip away and take a narrow 16-15 edge, before the Trojans countered with four unanswered points. The set was tied four more times before AU capitalized on a pair of errors to claim the win.
Third Set
The Lady Pirates snapped a 10-10 deadlock and posted a late surge to take the eight-point victory.
Fourth Set
The Trojans fell behind early and were unable to recover, as ASU claimed the double-figure win.
ANDERSON STATS OF THE DAY
Jackson recorded 13 kills and a .524 attack percentage, while adding nine total blocks on the day. Mitter totaled 22 kills, three service aces, 17 digs and six total blocks.
NOTES
- The match with West Georgia marked the first meeting between the two schools since the 2003 campaign, when the Trojans dropped a five-set decision to the Wolves in the final contest of a Saturday afternoon tri-match at the Abney Athletic Center.
- The contest with Armstrong State was the fourth meeting overall between the two programs and first since 2011, with Armstrong now holding a 3-1 edge in the overall series. The Trojans won the first-ever meeting in 2007 by a 3-2 count, while the Lady Pirates claimed a four-set win in 2008 and swept AU in 2011.
- Mitter posted her second double-double in three matches. The native of Redondo Beach, Calif., knocked down 11 kills in each match of the tournament.
- Mitter ranks fifth in the South Atlantic Conference with 3.30 kills per set.
- Jackson leads the SAC with her .538 attack percentage.
- Conlin stands fourth in the league with her 9.30 assists per set.
UP NEXT
Anderson opens South Atlantic Conference action with a visit to Coker on Thursday. First-serve in Hartsville, S.C. is set for 6 p.m.
