WISE, Va. – The Anderson University volleyball team wrapped up the regular season by sweeping UVA-Wise, 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-19) Saturday afternoon at the David J. Prior Convocation Center.
Anderson closed out the regular season with a 21-6 overall record, including a 17-5 mark in conference action and swept the season series with the Cavaliers. UVa-Wise fell to 1-25 overall and 0-21 in the league.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Senior Hailee Wilhelm led all players with 12 kills on a .407 hitting percentage, while freshman Taylor Weber knocked down 11 kills behind a .421 hitting accuracy. Sophomore Noelle Knutsen added eight kills on the afternoon. Senior setter Emily Conlin posted her 18th double-double of the campaign by handing out a match-high 31 assists and recording a dozen digs.
Sophomore setter Madison Roy dished out 10 assists and had a service ace. Classmate Meghan DeVaux came up with a match-best 19 digs, while freshman Lindsay McCurley notched eight digs. Junior Regan Duty finished the afternoon with six kills and four block assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
With AU hitting .300 in the opening frame, Knutsen and Weber paced the Black and Gold with six kills apiece.
Behind Wilhelm and Petrilli's serves and a pair of kills from Weber, the Trojans jumped out to an early 6-1 lead and never trailed. AU pushed on out to a 17-9 advantage on a kill from Knutsen, before the Cavaliers climbed to within four, at 21-17.
Wilhlem then sandwiched a pair of kills around a kill from UVa-Wise, with Knutsen knocking down back-to-back kills to finish the set.
Second Set
The Trojans stayed hot in the second frame – hitting .353 – with Weber and Wilhelm each recording five kills.
AU snapped a 4-4 deadlock with a 10-5 run and held at least a four-point lead the rest of the way.
Third Set
AU scored the first four points of the set and never looked back, while building a 10-3 lead. The advantage grew to 20-8 before the Cavaliers used a 9-3 surge to get back within six. UVA-Wise held off match point three times before sophomore Lilian Knider sealed the win with her second kill of the set.
ANDERSON STAT OF THE DAY
The Trojans have reached the 20+ win plateau for the third straight season and fourth time in six years.
NOTABLES
• The match marked just the second meeting in program history between the two teams.
• AU improved to 11-4 away from home this season.
• The Trojans improved to 7-2 in three-set decisions.
UP NEXT
As the No. 3 seed in next week's conference tournament, the Trojans will play host to sixth-seeded Tusculum, Tuesday night at the Abney Athletic Center. First-serve versus the Pioneers is slated for 7 p.m.
Tournament Individual Daily Tickets:
Quarterfinals: Adult - $ 5.00; Youth (12 and under)/Senior (60+) Active or Retired Military - $3.00; College Students with college ID - $ 2.00
Semifinals: (Friday, Nov. 22; Charlotte, N.C.) Adult - $ 10.00; Youth (12 and under)/Senior (60+) Active or Retired Military - $6.00; College Students with college ID - $ 2.00
Finals: Adult - (Saturday, Nov. 23; Charlotte, N.C.) $ 8.00; Youth (12 and under)/Senior (60+) Active or Retired Military - $5.00; College Students with college ID - $ 2.00
