Volleyball Closes in On SAC Tournament Spot With Sweep of Coker

SALISBURY, N.C. -- Catawba rolled past visiting Coker on Wednesday night in South Atlantic Conference volleyball action at Goodman Gym. The Catawba Indians swept the match by the scores of 25-13, 25-8 and 25-20 to up their record to 11-12 overall and 8-9 in the SAC. The Cobras fall to 3-22 and 1-16.

Catawba hit a sparkling 34.6% for the match with Kylie Morgan leading a balanced attack with 10 kills. Arianna Colon posted nine kills with Morgan Pearson and Ashley Johnson adding six each. Jordan Gore provided six blocks and Raytchelle Miranda four. Dara Kane served two aces with 15 assists and Kary Hales picked up a dozen digs.

Catawba started to move ahead midway through the first set. Leading 12-10, the Lady Indians went on a 13-3 run to close the set. Kane served the final six points, including her two aces.

After hitting 43.5% in the opening set, the Lady Indians hit 68.4% in the second with 14 kills on 19 swings with one error. Catawba scored the first five points and eventually led 13-2. Colon delivered three kills in a 7-0 run that pushed the margin to 20-3.

Coker battled in the third set and led til the midway point. Down 14-12, Catawba reeled off three points to go up for the first time at 15-14, capped on a block by Miranda. The Cobras got ahead 17-15, but Catawba scored the seven points. Colon had two kills and Payton Medich served an ace in the run. Morgan and Colon closed out the match with back-to-back kills.

Coker hit negative two percent for the match. Chelsey Blume paced the Cobras with six kills and two blocks. Taylor Hills and Emily Everton each had four kills.

Catawba closes out the regular season on Saturday with a match at Wingate at 7 p.m. The Lady Indians will secure a spot in the SAC Tournament with a win over Wingate or a loss by Limestone against either Anderson or Mars Hill.