Box Score FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. – Southern Wesleyan volleyball opened SSAC play with a five-set thriller against Emmanuel on Tuesday night, winning 3-2 (19-25, 25-23, 25-18, 22-25, 15-10). This was also the opening game in the Lil' Bronze Peach series.
After a slow start to the match the Warriors turned up the tempo to hold on to win. The Warriors hit .139, .039 and .167 in the first three matches but were still able to win the second and third sets as defense reigned supreme on this night. SWU picked up the attack and hit .220 and .261 in the final two sets. The Warriors (13-6, 1-0 SSAC) hit .150 for the match while Emmanuel (9-5, 0-1 SSAC) hit just .092.
Jacinta Hoffpauir led all players with a career-high 18 kills on 40 attacks. The junior hit .300 for the match, by far the leader for the team. Hoffpauir added a career-high 19 digs as the Warriors piled up 106 on the day. Kelsey Deerinwater led all players with 39 digs in the match.
Emmanuel put up an impressive 17 blocks in the match led by Danielle Sweet's four solo and six assisted blocks. SWU collected 10 blocks of their own led by Courtney William's three block assists and Hayley Hoover's two solo and one block assist. Hoover added a double-double with 10 kills and 19 digs while Williams added 11 kills.
Recent NCCAA National Player of the Week Megan Widener added her sixth double-double of the season with 43 assists and 14 digs. Cherilyn Ramsey collected 13 kills as the Warriors had 63 in the match.
SWU is now 4-3 in five set matches this year. The Warriors also take the early lead in the Lil' Bronze Peach series as well, collecting the first two points. The two schools will meet again on the volleyball court on October 29 at Historic Tysinger. For a complete schedule of the Lil' Bronze Peach Series click here.
The Warriors return home after nine straight on the road to host Martin Methodist and Bethel, SSAC newcomers, on Friday and Saturday. Friday's match with Martin Methodist will begin at 7 p.m. and Saturday's match is slated for a 1 p.m. first serve.
