ANDERSON, S.C. – Led by Noelle Knutsen's 14 kills, the Anderson University volleyball team claimed at least a share of the 2021 South Atlantic Conference Regular Season Championship by sweeping Limestone, 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-19), in the regular-season finale, Friday night at the Abney Athletic Center.
"Congratulations to the team on winning at least a share of the conference championship," said Anderson head coach Todd Hay. "It was one of our team goals back in August and they earned it through hard work and determination. Congratulations as well to our seniors who have meant so much to the program and contributed to so many victories over the years."
Anderson (20-6, 15-3 SAC) won its eighth straight decision, while Limestone (10-12, 7-10 SAC) saw its win streak halted at two.
The Trojans recognized five seniors prior to the match - Regan Duty, Maya Learmonth, Hannah Worsham, Meghan DeVaux and Neely Shugart.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Knutsen posted her 14 kills behind a .345 hitting percentage and also recorded a solo block and three block assists. Sophomore Tabitha Wheeler added eight kills, with senior outside hitter Maya Learmonth tallying six kills. Senior right side hitter Regan Duty chipped in five kills and a block assist.
Junior setter Madison Roy handed out 37 assists and came up with four digs, while junior Lindsay McCurley notched 11 digs. Senior Meghan DeVaux and freshman Hannah Neff each came up with seven digs apiece, with Neff posting a pair of service aces.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
Knutsen came out hot in the opening frame, with the Parker, Colo., native notching seven kills in just the opening frame alone, while recording a .727 hitting percentage.
With the score knotted at 9-9, senior Neely Shugart triggered a 12-3 scoring outburst by the Trojans that gave them an insurmountable nine-point lead. Knutsen helped fuel the run with three kills during the decisive surge and Limestone could get no closer than six the rest of the way.
Second Set
AU was even hotter in the second frame – posting a .387 hitting accuracy, with Knutsen adding six kills.
The Trojans jumped out to a 10-4 advantage and never looked back. The Saints climbed within three on three occasions, before AU used a 6-2 run to stretch the lead to seven (20-13) and went on to the eight-point win.
Third Set
The Trojans' largest lead in the decisive third set was four, with Limestone trimming AU's advantage to just 19-17 late in the frame. But Duty and Knutsen combined for a block and Neff followed an attack error by the Saints with an ace for AU's third straight point and a 22-17 cushion.
The Trojans then closed out the victory with three of the final five points.
ANDERSON STAT OF THE NIGHT
The Trojans trailed just once on the night, at 2-1, early in the opening set.
NOTABLES
• The Trojans also won the 2017 South Atlantic Conference Regular Season Championship.
• All eight wins in the current win streak have been sweeps.
• AU leads Wingate and Tusculum by a half-game in the chase for sole possession of the regular season crown, with Wingate scheduled to play host to Catawba, Saturday night at 7 p.m. The Pioneers edged Carson-Newman in five sets, Friday night, and are scheduled to play at Lincoln Memorial on Saturday afternoon.
• The Trojans have earned at least the No. 3 seed in next week's SAC Championship and will host a quarterfinal match at the Abney Athletic Center at 7 p.m.
• AU improved to 8-2 at the Abney Center this season.
• The Trojans are 57-9 (.864) at home over the past five seasons.
• AU has won 12 of their last 13 outings.
• AU will be making its 10th consecutive trip to the SAC Tournament.
• AU holds a 30-8 advantage in the overall series with Limestone that dates back to the 1997 campaign.
UP NEXT
The Trojans have earned at least the No. 3 seed in next week's SAC Championship and will host a quarterfinal match at the Abney Athletic Center at 7 p.m.
