ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Using a balanced offensive attack, the fourth-seeded Anderson University volleyball team jumped ahead early and never let up, as the Trojans swept No. 5 seed Queens, 3-0 (25-9, 25-17, 25-18) in the quarterfinals of the 2017 NCAA Southeast Region Tournament, Thursday afternoon at Flagler Gymnasium.
"I was very proud of our effort tonight after the two-week layoff," said Anderson head coach Todd Hay. "We had excellent energy and enthusiasm in all areas of the match - serving, defense, and offense. One of the biggest keys to tonight's win though had to be our serving. The players were focused, hit their spots and kept Queens out of system for a good part of the match. That allowed our block to set up a little quicker and force their hitters to make tough shots."
The first two matches of the day went the full five-set distance, but the third quarterfinal contest proved to be the 23rd sweep of the season by the Trojans.
Anderson improved to 28-4 on the season and moves on to face top-seed and host Flagler on Friday night. The Trojans have won four of the last five matchups with the Royals, including three victories this season.
After winning the South Atlantic Conference Tournament two weeks ago, Queens saw its season end with a 23-8 overall record and its second straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Senior outside hitter Marissa Mitter led all players with 12 kills and notched her 15th double-double of the season with 12 digs. Fellow senior Serena Jackson added seven kills and four total blocks, while junior Jayln Knight posted seven kills and shared match-high honors with 13 digs. Senior Rachel Burts knocked down six kills on the strength of a .417 hitting percentage and recorded three total blocks.
Sophomore setter Emily Conlin was just shy of her 18th double-double of the campaign, with 31 assists and nine digs, while junior libero Emily Conard recorded 13 digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
Behind a blistering .323 hitting percentage, the Trojans claimed a decisive 16-point win in the opening set. Mitter posted six kills in just 12 swings with only one error for a .417 hitting percentage, with Knight adding three kills and Jackson knocking down a pair of kills in the first frame.
The Trojans never trailed and doubled up Queens, 8-4, early and again at 12-6 on the strength of three kills apiece from Mitter and Knight. After the Royals posted back-to-back points, AU reeled off seven unanswered points and closed the set with a 13-1 outburst.
Conard posted a pair of service aces during the initial surge, while Mitter added two kills and Conlin polished off the set with an ace.
Second Set
AU carried the momentum into the second frame by scoring the first three points and pushed out to an early 5-2 lead. The Trojans maintained the advantage and built an 18-11 cushion before the Royals trimmed the lead to three with four straight points. Knight snapped the run with a kill to spark a 5-1 run, as the Trojans rebuilt a seven-point advantage and claimed the eight-point win.
Third Set
The final set featured seven ties, with Knight snapping a 9-9 deadlock with back-to-back aces to fuel a 7-1 run by the Trojans, as they broke open a close set with the surge.
Queens climbed within four on four occasions, but the Trojans turned away the Royals each time en route to the sweep.
ANDERSON STAT OF THE MATCH
The eight service aces equaled the fourth-highest total of the season.
NOTES
• The Royals reached the Southeast Region finals a year ago.
• In Friday's semifinal contest, the Trojans will be bidding to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history.
• The win marked the second NCAA Tournament victory in program history for the Trojans.
• Emily Conlin has 17 double-doubles on the season.
• Marissa Mitter has 15 double-doubles on the season.
UP NEXT
Anderson will square off against either top-seed and host Flagler in the regional semifinals, Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 30
Match 1: #2 Wingate 3, #7 Carson-Newman 2
Match 2: #6 Georgia College 3, #3 USC Aiken 2
Match 3: #4 Anderson 3, #5 Queens 0
Match 4: #1 Flagler 3, #8 Barton 0
Friday, Dec. 1
Match 5: #2 Wingate vs. #6 Georgia College 5 p.m.
Match 6: #4 Anderson vs. #1 Flagler, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 2
Match 7: Winner match 5 vs. Winner match 6, 7 p.m.
Click here to stay up to date with the 2017 NCAA Southeast Region Volleyball Championship
http://flaglerathletics.com/sports/2017/11/20/2017-ncaa-division-ii-southeast-regional-volleyball-tournament.aspx
