ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson volleyball team used its fourth-highest hitting percentage of the season to get back in the win column and swept Newberry, 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-19) in South Atlantic Conference play, Tuesday night at the Abney Athletic Center.
Anderson (10-3, 4-2 SAC) swept the Wolves for the second time in two weeks, while improving to 6-1 at home on the season. Newberry (6-7, 1-4 SAC) suffered its fourth loss in five outings.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Senior outside hitter Liliana Kinder led all players with 12 kills and added a pair of block assists and three digs, with junior Rylie Sargent tallying 10 kills on a .444 hitting percentage. The Greer native also chipped in two block assists and a solo block. Junior outside hitter Meg Sansbury notched eight kills on the strength of a .389 attacking accuracy, while senior middle hitter Noelle Knutsen recorded seven kills, a pair of block assists and a solo block.
Junior Jaelyn Grimm posted six kills, a service ace, four block assists and a solo block. Senior setter Madison Roy dished out 37 assists and had three digs, with senior Alexandra Petrilli recording 19 digs. Sophomore Hannah Neff came up with four digs and a pair of aces.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
Kinder posted seven of her dozen kills in the opening frame, while hitting .461.
The Trojans used an 8-5 run to overcome a three-point deficit midway through the set and claimed a late 22-21 lead on Sargent's third kill of the set. AU took advantage of an error by the Wolves to build its lead to two and went on to claim the win on an ace by Grimm.
Second Set
AU capitalized on a .429 hitting percentage in the second frame, with Sansbury and Knutsen each knocking down four kills apiece.
After Newberry scored the first point of the set, the Trojans answered by scoring five unanswered points and never trailed again.
Third Set
AU scored three consecutive points to open a late four-point advantage and held off the Wolves down the stretch for the six-point win.
ANDERSON STAT OF THE GAME
The Trojans .356 hitting accuracy marked their fourth-highest of the season.
NOTABLES
• The Trojans and Wolves have met 35 times over the past 23 seasons, with AU holding a 26-9 advantage in the overall series that dates back to the 1999 campaign.
• The Trojans have won 18 of the last 20 meetings with Newberry.
• AU has recorded seven sweeps this season.
UP NEXT
Anderson will open a two-match road swing through the Volunteer State by visiting Lincoln Memorial Friday night. First-serve in Harrogate is scheduled for 7 p.m.
