NEED TO KNOW:
Match 1 Score: Meredith 3, Mary Baldwin 0
Match 2 Score: Greensboro 3, Meredith 1
Record: Meredith, 17-5 (8-4 USA South)
STAUNTON, Va. - Meredith volleyball came away with a Sunday split in USA South Tri-Match action in Staunton, Virginia against Mary Baldwin and Greensboro.
Playing the Fighting Squirrels and Pride for the second time this season in tri-match action, the Avenging Angels began the day in style, rolling past the hosting Fighting Squirrels in three clinical sets. However, they were unable to get a foothold against the Pride, falling in four sets in the second match of the day.
Match 1: Meredith 3, Mary Baldwin 0
After a 3-0 home sweep over the Fighting Squirrels on Sept. 19, Meredith validated it with another 3-0 sweep on Sunday, this time on Mary Baldwin's home court.
The Avenging Angels held the Fighting Squirrels to less than 20 points in all three sets, highlighted by an emphatic 25-11 victory in the third set to close the match in straight sets.
Caitlyn Russell began her big day with another double-double, leading the way with 11 kills while also recording 10 digs.
Elena Bostick added nine kills,
Karaleigh Dodson tallied seven and
Daven Brabble and
Emily Haas contributed five each as a wealth of Avenging Angels contributed to the offensive cause.
Freshmen setters
Scarlet Griffin and
Kaiden Hawkins tied for the team lead with 11 assists each.
The first set was close until it wasn't, when the Avenging Angels reeled off 11 consecutive points to take a 14-14 tie and turn into a 25-14 first set victory. From there, Meredith had complete control, steadily increasing its lead throughout the second set for a 25-18 triumph before the dominant 25-11 victory in the third and final set.
Meredith had a decided hitting advantage in the match, recording a .310 hitting percentage and holding Mary Baldwin to -.049.
Match 2: Greensboro 3, Meredith 1
While the Avenging Angels had the final say by winning a five-set thriller in Raleigh on Sept. 19, the Pride flipped the script on Sunday in Virginia, winning the first two sets before eking out the fourth to take the victory.
Even in defeat, Russell delivered another standout performance in a fantastic senior season, recording her second double-double of the day with 19 kills and 14 digs.
Megan Murray added 19 digs and a pair of service aces to contribute as well while Carolne Prease tallied 13 digs to give Meredith three players in double digits in digs for the match.
Both teams saved multiple match points in a hard-fought first set that ultimately went the Pride's way at 28-26.
They then took advantage of the momentum and cruised to a second set victory. However, Meredith was undaunted, climbing back into the match with a dominant third-set performance of its own (25-15).
Greensboro began to separate late in the fourth set, taking a 21-16 lead. The Angels, however, had one final comeback attempt, racing back to cut their deficit to one at 23-22. Unfortunately, the Pride won the final two points to seal the win.
Up next, the Avenging Angels will face another tough test, as they welcome Salem to Raleigh for a match this Tuesday, October 20 at 6 p.m.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Russell recorded back-to-back double doubles, and totaled 30 kills and 25 digs for the day.
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Scarlet Griffin totaled 36 assists on the day, including a team-high 25 against Greensboro.
