ANDERSON, S.C. – Behind a balanced offensive attack and solid defense, the Anderson University volleyball team swept a doubleheader Saturday afternoon at the Abney Athletic Center, as the Trojans topped Coker in three sets and outlasted local rival Erskine in a five-set marathon.
AU blanked the Cobras, 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-19), while earning a Beville Cup point by grounding the Flying Fleet, 3-2 (22-25, 28-26, 15-25, 25-23, 15-10).
Anderson improved to 12-9 overall and 8-5 in the South Atlantic Conference, with its third win in less than 24 hours, while Coker fell to 9-10 overall and 3-10 in the league with its ninth consecutive SAC road loss. Erskine, the defending Conference Carolinas Champion, dropped to 11-8 on the season.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (COKER)
Junior Marissa Mitter led all players with 11 kills on the strength of a .364 hitting percentage and shared match-high honors with 13 digs, while senior Rachel Burts and freshman Kathryn Hughes each tallied 10 kills. Burts recorded a .625 attack percentage, with Hughes posting a .474 hitting percentage. Freshman Emily Conlin dished out 38 assists and came up with eight digs, with sophomore Jayln Knight recording 10 digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED - COKER
First Set
AU jumped out to a 7-4 advantage behind three kills from senior Allison Gaminde and built an 18-10 lead with Mitter, Burts and Hughes providing the offense. The Trojans claimed a late nine-point lead on the first of Conlin's three kills and Burst polished off the scoring with her fifth kill.
Second Set
The Trojans took an early 10-3 lead with Burts and Hughes combining for five kills and pushed out to a double-digit, 17-7, cushion when Burts and Gaminde combined for a block. The Cobras climbed within eight points on three occasions, but would get no closer.
Third Set
AU overcame a 7-2 deficit on the strength of an 8-3 scoring outburst, with sophomore Megan Embry providing the serves during the decisive rally. The Trojans snapped a 13-13 deadlock with seven unanswered points and went on to claim the six-point win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (ERSKINE)
Mitter led the Trojans with 14 kills and added 17 digs for her second double-double of the day. Burts knocked down a dozen kills, while junior Serena Jackson tallied 11 kills in the nightcap. Conlin handed out 39 assists and added 10 digs for her ninth double-double of the season. Conard led all players with 21 digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED - ERSKINE
First Set
The frame was tied five times before the Fleet snapped a 10-10 deadlock with a 5-1 run to take a lead they would not relinquish, as the Trojans were unable to overcome a .360 hitting percentage by the Flying Fleet.
Second Set
The Trojans bounced back by rallying from an 8-4 deficit and taking their first lead of the frame, at 16-15, on a kill from Conlin. AU opened a late three-point edge twice and held off the Fleet down the stretch.
Third Set
Erskine responded with a decisive double-digit win behind a 12-3 scoring outburst midway through the frame.
Fourth Set
The Trojans captured another narrow win despite committing six attack errors. AU claimed an early four-point lead before Erskine responded to take the advantage midway through the set. But the Trojans countered by taking a late lead and Mitter's fourth kill of the set sealed the win.
Fifth Set
Behind Conlin's strong serving, the Trojans jumped out to an early lead and never trailed in the final set.
ANDERSON STATS OF THE DAY
• Mitter posted a combined 25 kills, 30 digs and four service aces.
• Burts recorded a combined 22 kills, five block assists and a .417 hitting percentage.
NOTABLES
• With the 12 victories, the Trojans have surpassed their win total from last season.
• The Trojans have won 16 of the last 19 meetings with Coker, including 14 straight.
• The Trojans have won four straight past Erskine at the Abney Center.
• AU halted the Flying Fleet's win streak at five matches.
• The Trojans now hold a 5-4 edge in the overall series with Erskine since the two schools resumed the rivalry in 2009.
• Mitter has recorded two straight double-doubles and has 12 double-doubles on the season, while posting double-figure kills in 15 contests this season.
• Burts has reached double-figure kills in two consecutive matches and six of the last seven outings.
• Conlin has posted nine double-doubles on the season, including five of the last seven matches.
• Hughes has posted double-figure kills in two of the last three matches.
• Conlin has recorded at least 30 assists on 17 occasions this season and has reached the 40+ assist plateau on 10 occasions.
• Conard has tallied double-figure digs in all but two matches.
UP NEXT
Newberry invades the Abney Center on Tuesday. First-serve versus the Wolves is slated for 7 p.m.
