CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. – The (RV) Lady Tigers of Campbellsville University (13-3, 7-0 MSC) were on the road Friday night taking on the Saints of Thomas More University (12-7, 6-0 MSC). Coming into the match, Campbellsville was in first place of the Mid-South Conference standings while Thomas More was in second. Both teams were undefeated in conference play, but the close match went the Saints' way, 3-0.
With first place on the line, the Saints came out firing early in the first set and forced the Lady Tigers to play from behind the entire time. With Thomas More leading by three to four-point margins throughout most of the set, Campbellsville did battle back and take a brief one-point lead at 18-17. However, the Saints captured the next point and cruised to a 25-23 victory to capture the first set. Leading the way for the Lady Tigers were
Molly Shannon, Marianne Cassiano, and
McKenna Barfield with three kills each.
The second set was an absolute barnburner. With the score 19-21 in the Saints' favor, and just when things were looking bleak for Campbellsville, Thomas More missed their serve for set point giving life to the Lady Tigers and Shannon made sure to make the Saints pay. Her big kill tied the score at 24. Thomas More used up their last timeout and then it was Barfield who stepped up, her big block allowing for an easy ball to come back over the net. That spurred the Lady Tigers to run a combination play and Shannon again delivered. As the struggle continued between both teams, Campbellsville were called out of rotation and that error gave the set point to Thomas More capturing set point 26-28. Despite falling down to 2-0, Shannon had an impressive set with ten kills.
The third set was much like the second set in which both teams were going back-and-forth. With a three-point lead late in the set, 16-19, the Lady Tigers'
Andrea Laboy had back-to-back digs to keep her team within striking distance. They were able to fight back to knot things at 19 only to give up the lead on consecutive defensive plays by Thomas More. Taking advantage of a run on points, the Saints were able to build a commanding advantage and close out Campbellsville with a score of 25-21.
The difference in this match was the play of the Saints' hitters vs. the Lady Tigers' defense. Thomas More had a .224 hitting percentage and, while Campbellsville had 83 digs, they were only able to secure two blocks at the net for the match. The Saints had seven total blocks and 80 digs of their own. With only one loss in conference play, Campbellsville remains in great shape to continue their strong run towards capturing the title.
Up next for the Lady Tigers in Lindsey Wilson at home on Thursday, October 13
th at 7pm ET.
