CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Mid-South Conference volleyball action began Wednesday night, but not the way the Campbellsville University Lady Tigers would have liked it to start. Campbellsville dropped an error-plagued first set in Powell Athletic Center to the defending MSC champion Lindsey Wilson College. After battling back, the Blue Raiders held off the Tigers for a 3-2 victory (25-12, 19-25, 26-28, 25-19, 15-11).
However, the Lady Tigers' effort to battle toward their second-straight five-set match, shows promises for CU's season, which is only in its eighth day.
"We had some great moments of ball control and moving well as a team, and then moments where we could not get it together," CU head coach Amy Eckenfels said. "The biggest battle we had to fight tonight was coming out flat in Game 1. It's still early on in the season, and I see endless possibilities for this team."
Four Lady Tigers posted double-figure kills, led by 15 each from Daiane Souza and Haley Bechtel, while Kelly Moyer and Laura DeGear had 14 each. Kira Stewart had 51 set assists.
The Blue Raiders were paced by Sarah Anderson's 17 kills and 13 from Courtney Doyle. Andrea Taylor came up with 54 assists.
While LWC controlled most of the first set, CU stretched its lead out of an early 5-5 tie to pull away with the second-set, six-point win. Both teams battled tight in the third set as LWC blocked game-point and forced a tie, 24-24, with a kill by Anderson. Tied 26-26, CU received back-to-back kills by DeGear and Moyer to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
Campbellsville led most of the fourth set, but was unable to close out the win. Up 15-10, CU quickly saw the lead flip as Lindsey Wilson went on a 12-2 run en route to forcing a decisive fifth set.
Once again in a close battle, set broke with LWC leading, 8-7. From there, CU was never able to gain control as LWC held on for a four-point win, 15-11.
The Lady Tigers (3-1) will return to Powell Athletic Center next Tuesday, Sept. 11 to battle the University of the Cumberlands at 7 p.m. EDT. The junior varsity match will begin at 5 p.m.
