ANDERSON, S.C. – Behind a season-high .344 hitting percentage, the Anderson volleyball team's 2017 home debut was a success, as the Trojans swept Newberry, 3-0 (25-16, 25-11, 25-10) in South Atlantic Conference play, Friday night at the Abney Athletic Center.
Anderson (8-3, 2-1 SAC) won its third straight outing, while defeating the Wolves for the ninth time in 10 matchups and avenged a home loss suffered to Newberry last season. The Wolves slipped to 6-5 overall and 2-3 in the SAC with its second straight loss.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Senior outside hitter Marissa Mitter led all players with nine kills and added five digs, with seniors Rachel Burts and Serena Jackson each tallying eight kills apiece and combining for nine block assists on the night. The duo also combined for just two attack errors. Junior outside hitter Jayln Knight notched six kills and 13 digs, with sophomore outside hitter Kathryn Hughes recording five kills in eight attempts for a .625 hitting percentage. Sophomore setter Emily Conlin dished out 31 assists, while junior libero Emily Conard posted a match-best 15 digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The Trojans snapped a 6-6 tie with a 10-2 scoring outburst, as AU built an eight-point lead with Burts notching a block assist and three kills during the surge.
AU steadily built a double-digit, 23-13, lead when Burts and Knight teamed up for a block. After the Trojans reached set point on an error by the Wolves, Newberry scored three consecutive points, but Knight claimed the win on her fourth kill of the set.
Second Set
The second frame saw six early ties, with AU breaking a 7-7 deadlock on a kill from Mitter that ignited a 12-2 run by the Black and Gold. Mitter and Jackson combined for three kills apiece during the breakout, with the duo capping the run by combining for a block.
Third Set
The Trojans never trailed in the final set, as they jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. With AU leading, 5-3, the Trojans erupted on a 15-4 scoring run that put them on control of the set.
NOTES
• Mitter needs 19 kills to become the 11th player in school history to reach 1,000 career kills.
• Former standout Shaunte' Heyward (2003-06) is 10th in the school record books with 1,041 career kills.
UP NEXT
Anderson is scheduled to wrap up the two-match homestand when Coker invades the Abney Center, Saturday afternoon. First-serve versus the Cobras is set for 2 p.m.
