Peace Volleyball Splits in Today’s League Play
Raleigh, NC-The Peace College volleyball squad split in today's USA South conference action at the Hermann Student Center. The Pacers (10-14, 5-7 USAS) opened the day with a 3-0 sweep of Shenandoah University (12-14, 2-12 USAS) before taking a 3-1 loss to North Carolina Wesleyan (16-9, 11-2 USAS) in the nightcap.
Peace struggled in the opening plays of set one with the Hornets leading 7-5 early. But the Pacers scored 8 of the next 10 points to secure the lead for good. Setter Olivia Griffin (High Point, NC) capped off the 25-22 win with a service ace, one of six on the day.
The team's exchanged points early in the second and were tied for the last time at 11-11. Peace scored five of the next six points with the help of solid serving from Leah Chandler (Chapel Hill, NC), who was perfect from the line today. Elizabeth Evanoff (Manns Harbor, NC) sealed the 25-20 victory with one of four kills in the match.
Peace faced the Battling Bishops of NC Wesleyan in the final match of the day. Coming off a 3-0 sweep of the Hornets, the Bishops managed an early 1-0 match lead but not without some challenges.
The Pacers battled with the Bishops and took a 15-14 lead on another service run from Chandler. But Wesleyan went on an 11-5 run to cap the 25-20 victory.
The visitors carried that momentum into the second for a quick 25-14 win to lead 2-0.
The Bishops opened the third with a 13-9 lead over the Pacers. Alexandra Parker (Weaverville, NC) initiated a Pacer comeback with one her seven kills on the match, assisted by Bree Crook (Reno, NV). Evanoff rattled her opponents with three more kills and a block and helped seal the 27-25 win to force a fourth set.
The Pacers fought back from a six-point deficit in set four to come within one of the Bishops at 17-16 but would get no closer. The missed opportunities led to a 25-21 set win for NC Wesleyan.
Amber Lowe (Cedar Grove, NC) led the Pacers with 24 kills on the day, adding 32 digs. Evanoff drove the Peace effort versus the Bishops recording 13 kills and a match high eight blocks, adding five more versus Shenandoah. Griffin returned to the starting lineup today after being sidelined with an injury and earned 64 total assists on the day. Parker notched five service aces against the Hornets and recorded 14 kills on the day.
Pacer volleyball hits the road for the next ten days, beginning with non-league Elizabeth City Monday, October 19. The team returns to the Hermann Gymnasium Tuesday, October 27, to battle cross-town rival Meredith College after losing 3-1 earlier in the season. The seniors will be celebrated before the match begins. See you on the sidelines!