SALISBURY, N.C. – Despite double-doubles from junior Marissa /mitter and freshman Emily Conlin, the Anderson University volleyball team opened a two-match South Atlantic Conference road swing with a 3-1 (18-25, 25-12, 17-25, 24-26) loss to Catawba Friday night at Goodman Gym.
Anderson (9-8, 6-4 SAC) has dropped three of its last four decisions, while Catawba (7-8, 5-5 SAC) has won two straight and three of its last four outings.
Senior Rachel Burts led the Trojans with 14 kills, while adding seven total blocks on the night. Mitter recorded 12 kills and 14 digs, with freshman Emily Conlin sharing match-high honors with 41 assists and coming up with 19 digs. Sophomore Emily Conard posted 17 digs, with sophomore Megan Embry notching 10 digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The Trojans were unable to overcome 11 attack errors and hit just -.030 in the set. Catawba snapped a 9-9 deadlock with an 8-3 surge to claim an advantage it would not surrender. AU climbed within five late in the frame, but could get no closer.
Second Set
AU bounced back for a decisive win on the strength of a .471 hitting percentage, with Burts and freshman Kathryn Hughes combining for nine kills. The Trojans raced out to a 9-2 advantage and never looked back, while doubling up the Lady Indians at 22-11 before taking the 13-point win.
Third Set
It was Catawba's turn in the third frame, as the Lady Indians jumped out to an 11-3 advantage. The Trojans trimmed the deficit to six on three occasions and climbed within 22-17 before dropping the eight-point decision.
Fourth Set
The set was tied six times, with AU claiming the lead just once, at 3-2. After falling behind, 8-4, the Trojans rallied to tie the score at 11 apiece with Mitter recording a pair of kills and a block assist. Catawba responded by pushing back out to a 15-11 advantage, with AU chipping away and knotting the score at 23-23 on as kill by Serena Jackson. But the Lady Indians countered by posting the final two points to take the narrow win.
ANDERSON STAT OF THE NIGHT
Burts now has 40 kills in Anderson's last three matches.
NOTABLES
• Mitter has 10 double-doubles on the season.
• Jackson is tied for fifth in the SAC with her .304 hitting percentage.
• Mitter has reached double-figure kills in 13 matches this season.
• Conlin has seven double-doubles on the season.
• Conlin has recorded at least 30 digs on 14 occasions.
• Conlin has reached 40+ assists on nine occasions.
• Conard has double-figure digs in 16 matches this year.
• Burts leads the league with 21 solo blocks, 50 block assists and 71 total blocks.
UP NEXT
Anderson wraps up the road swing by visiting Queens University of Charlotte Saturday afternoon. First-serve is slated for 2 p.m.
