AIKEN, S.C. – The Anderson University volleyball team wrapped up the USC Aiken Invitational by sweeping Mount Olive, 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-13) but dropped a hard-fought 3-1 (22-25, 21-25, 25-22, 17-25) decision to the host Pacers, Saturday afternoon at the Convocation Center.
Anderson moved to (5-2) on the season with the split, while Mount Olive fell to 3-4 and USC Aiken, the defending Southeast Region Champions, improved to (6-2).
MOUNT OLIVE
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Freshman outside hitter Kaitlyn Grube led a balanced offensive attack with nine kills behind an impressive .615 hitting percentage. The native of Colfax, N.C., also tallied eight digs. Senior middle blocker Serena Jackson added eight kills on a .375 hitting percentage, with senior middle blocker Rachel Burts adding seven kills. Senior outside hitter Marissa Mitter posted six kills and nine digs, while sophomore setter Emily Conlin handed out a match-high 36 assists and junior libero Megan Embry came up with nine digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
AU jumped out to a quick 10-4 advantage and never looked back, while building a 17-8 lead on a kill from Mitter.
Second Set
The Anderson Trojans snapped a 4-4 deadlock with a 7-2 surge behind a pair of kills and a service ace from Grube only to see the Mount Olive Trojans rally to take a brief 14-13 edge on an error by the Black and Gold. After falling behind by two, AU broke a 22-22 tie on another kill from Grube and Jackson knocked down a kill to give AU the lead. Grube then secured the win with her sixth kill of the frame.
Third Set
AU pushed out to a double-digit, 15-5, lead and maintained a comfortable margin down the stretch.
USC AIKEN
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Mitter led all players with a season-high 21 kills and added 12 digs for a double-double. Junior outside hitter Jayln Knight narrowly missed a double-double, adding nine kills and 15 digs, with Burts knocking down eight kills. Sophomore setter Emily Conlin notched a double-double with 47 assists and came up with 14 digs. Embry and freshman Christina Stacy each netted 12 digs apiece.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The opening set was tied 15 times before USC Aiken snapped a 20-20 deadlock with two consecutive points and held on for the narrow three-point win.
Second Set
The Trojans scored the first three points of the second frame, but the Pacers evened the score at four apiece and pushed out to a late seven-point lead with AU holding off set-point four times before finally succumbing.
Third Set
The Trojans refused to go away quietly after falling behind 7-3 early in the third frame. Burts sparked a rally that saw AU battle back and knot the score at 20 apiece. Jackson's kill gave the Trojans a brief lead and with the score again tied at 22-22, Kathryn Hughes knocked down a kill. The Trojans took advantage of a Pacer error and Conard clinched the win with an ace.
Fourth Set
After rallying from a quick deficit to even the score at five apiece, the Trojans fell behind 15-8 and were unable to bounce back. AU cut the USC Aiken advantage to just 16-14 on a kill by Mitter, but would get no closer.
NOTES
• The Trojans are 2-2 against teams from the Peach Belt Conference
• The Trojans are 2-0 against teams from Conference Carolinas.
• This afternoon's match was the first meeting between AU and Mount Olive since 2009, when both schools were members of Conference Carolinas.
• The Pacers have won three straight past AU and lead the series, 5-1.
UP NEXT
Anderson is scheduled to open its home slate by playing host to South Atlantic Conference-opponent Lenoir-Rhyne Tuesday night. First-serve versus the Bears is set for 7 p.m.
