Catawba Edged by Newberry in Five Sets

SALISBURY, N.C. -- Catawba lost a tough five-set match to Newberry in South Atlantic Conference volleyball action on Saturday afternoon at Goodman Gym. The Wolves rallied to win the final two sets to take the match 25-17, 21-25, 22-25, 25-18 and 15-9. The win improves Newberry to 11-12 overall and 6-8 in the SAC, while the Catawba Indians go to 6-15 and 4-10.

Kelcie Love led Catawba in kills with 13, followed closely by Hayes Smith with 12 and Rachel Gonzales 11. Gonzeles missed the final two sets with an injury. Katie Clark posted five blocks to go with seven kills with setter Dara Kane handing out 45 assists. Kary Haley picked up 26 digs.

Newberry hit .360 to grab the opening set. The Wolves pulled away late using a 6-0 run to snap a 16-all tie. Catawba rebounded in set overcoming a 15-10 deficit. Down 20-19, Love had two kills and Gonzeles one as Catawba went up 22-20. Newberry scored next, but Kane had a block and an ace to push the Lady Indians to a set point. Catawba converted on a Newberry hitting error.

Catawba trailed 18-17 in set three before kills from Clark and Ashley Johnson led a 3-0 run to put the Lady Indians on top. Smith had two kills and Clark a block that pushed Catawba ahead 23-19. A combo block by Love and Clark ended the set. 

Newberry rolled to a quick 6-1 lead in set four and kept a solid lead throughout. It was another quick start in the fifth for the Wolves. Avery Webb opened with two aces and Newberry went up 4-1. Catawba crept back within 7-6 then the team swapped 3-0 runs to make the score 10-9. Newberry would then score the final five points to earn the win.

Baylor Herlehy posted 14 kills for Newberry and added seven blocks. Samantha Shaffer had a dozen kills and five blocks. Webb handed out 36 assists, served three aces and collected 10 digs. Katie Ullsperger had 10 kills and 20 digs.

Three different players had double-digit kills for Catawba: Kelcie Love (13), Hayes Smith (12), and Rachel Gonzales (11). Dara Kane sent out 45 assists while Kary Hales had 26 digs. 

Catawba will host Lenoir-Rhyne on Friday at 6 p.m. before closing out its home slate the following Tuesday against Anderson at 6 p.m.