ANDERSON, S.C. – Seniors Tabitha Wheeler (Greenville, S.C.) and Jaelyn Grimm (Cedar Park, Texas) each hammered 13 kills in the match as the Anderson University (25-4) volleyball team downed the Saints of Limestone University 3-1 in the South Atlantic Conference tournament quarterfinals on Monday, November 13.
Senior Rylie Sargent (Greer, S.C.) also eclipsed the double digit kill mark in the contest with 11 while sophomore Kaitlyn Barrett (Inman, S.C.) achieved the feat as well with 10 kills on the night. Graduate Lindsay McCurley (Simpsonville, S.C.) recorded a team-high 19 digs while senior Jenna Long (Clearwater, Fla.) pitched in 15 digs to go with her 48 assists.
"Postseason sports just have a different feel and the survive and advance reality makes it all that more exciting," said head coach Todd Hay. "We played a good first set but didn't respond well in the second when Limestone made a strong push."
The Trojans got off to a hot start taking the first four points of the match but allowed the Saints to score next four in a row to tie the set up at four. Anderson was able to slowly creep away from the Saints over the next few points as they brought their lead out to 10-7 before stringing together another four-point run to double up the Saints point total. The Saints closed the gap to just three at 21-18, but the Trojans only allowed them one more point in the set, taking it 25-19.
The second set proved to be all Limestone as they opened with an early 5-1 run and later were able to take a six-point run and increase their lead to eight at 14-6. Anderson started to look like they may climb back into the set, closing the gap to just five, but Limestone answered with a four-point swing and eventually closed out the set 25-18.
"However, our demeanor and focus were still there, and we were able to right the ship and get back on track with better defense and tougher serving. We will need all that and more on Wednesday against a hot Tusculum team that is on a roll."
Anderson returned to more of a status quo for themselves in the third set as they opened with a 7-4 advantage. Limestone continued to battle through the third set, bringing the Trojans lead back to just two at 13-11, but the Black and Gold had battle in them as well stringing together six-points to open the floodgates at 19-11. Another three-point run along with some back-and-forth points gave the Trojans the 25-16 third set victory.
The Trojans tried to quickly put the fourth set out of reach as again they were able to jump out to an early 7-3 lead. Limestone continued to fight as they had all night, bringing the margin back to just two, but Anderson again was able to string together multiple points and stretched their lead out to 17-9. A three-point run continued to broaden the Trojans advantage and a four-point streak put the match away with the Black and Gold taking the fourth set, 25-15.
"Thank you to everyone who came out to support us one final time in the Abney."
Anderson now moves on to the semifinals of the SAC Tournament at the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center to take on Tusculum on Wednesday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m.
