Box Score
GAFFNEY, S.C. – Southern Wesleyan volleyball lost their first match in nearly three weeks on Tuesday night, falling in straight sets to Limestone College in a matchup of two of the top teams in Conference Carolinas.
The Warriors lost in straight sets for the first time in six weeks and only the third time all season as the Saints reeled off a 3-0 win with game scores of 27-25, 25-18, 25-22.
SWU was limited to just a .121 hitting percentage in the second matchup of these two teams. The Warriors hit .270 in the first meeting in Tysinger back on Oct. 17. On Tuesday the Saints hit just .140 but collected 12 total blocks, led by Erin Courtenay's five. The Warriors had seven total blocks.
The Saints made up for their low hitting percentage with eight service aces while the Warriors were shutout in that category for the first time all season.
Jacinta Hoffpauir and Sarah Hughey led the team with 10 kills but neither were able to really get on track in the match as both hit under .145 for the match. Hughey added a team-high 13 digs to add her 10th double-double of the season. Megan Widener added 25 assists and 10 digs for her 8th double-double of the season.
The Warriors took control of the first set with a 4-0 run to take a 14-10 lead but the Saints answered to seize the lead at 19-17. The teams traded leads four times before the Saints fought off a SWU set point at 24-23 and took four of the final five points to win 27-25 on a kill from Natalie Tucker.
Limestone started off hot in the second, taking six of the first seven points and never looked back as the Warriors won back-to-back points just three times in the set. The Warriors had their best hitting performance in that set at .235 but the Saints also had their best attack at .214.
The Warriors fought back and turned an 8-5 deficit into a 13-8 lead and led 18-12 but Limestone went on an 8-0 run to seize the lead and run away with the set. The Saints closed the set on a 13-4 run after the Warriors led 18-12.
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