RALEIGH, N.C. - The Avenging Angels are the 2023 USA South Tournament Champions after taking down Greensboro College 3-2 (29-31, 16-25, 25-12, 25-19, 15-12) Saturday afternoon inside Weatherspoon Gymnasium.
A grueling first set saw 60 total points played, with the visiting Pride ultimately taking it 31-29 to gain an early advantage. Greensboro would use that momentum in the second set to cruise to a 25-16 win. A change in strategy for Meredith would help the Angels get on the board via a 25-12 third set win. Following a 25-19 forth set victory, the final would head to a deciding fifth set.
In the fifth and deciding set, Meredith jumped out to a 7-5 lead only to see Greensboro grab an 8-7 advantage. The Avenging Angels went on a 4-1 run to get to an 11-9 lead, the Pride got to within one at 13-12, before Meredith scored the final two points to win 15-12.
Meredith was led offensively by
Emma Duncan and
Lauren Bissette who each had 15 kills.
Hannah Jo Jablonski contributed a team-high 18 digs while
Lillie Davis added 39 assists with
Ashley Smith coming off the bench for 12 assists and five digs.
Freshman
Kinley Copeland added nine kills with four blocks while sophomore
Alexa House, the conference leader in service aces, added two aces with 10 digs.
The Angels will await their destination in the NCAA Tournament when the selection show is released is on Monday.
2023 All-Tournament Team
Lauren Bissette, Meredith (MVP)
Krista Brantley, Greensboro
Lillie Davis, Meredith
Emma Duncan, Meredith
Hannah Jo Jablonski, Meredith
Morgan Mayfield, Greensboro
Jaylyn Templeton, Greensboro
2023 USA South Volleyball Tournament Results
First Round - Tuesday, November 7
Game 1: #8 N.C. Wesleyan - 0 #1 Meredith - 3
Game 2: #7 Brevard - 0 #2 Greensboro - 3
Game 3: #6 Methodist - 1 #3 Southern Virginia - 3
Game 4: #5 Salem - 3 #4 William Peace - 2
Semifinals - Thursday, November 9
#5 Salem - 0 #1 Meredith - 3
#3 Southern Virginia - 1 #2 Greensboro - 3
Final - Saturday, November 11
#2 Greensboro - 2 #1 Meredith - 3
