Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan challenged the Erskine Flying Fleet before fall in five sets in a 3-2 final on Friday evening.

The Warriors collected 54 kills during the game.  Olivia Johnson led the team with 20 kills in the loss with Emily Ellis following with 14.  Southern Wesleyan posted 50 assists during the match with setter Kali Letcher leading the team with 25.  Letcher was followed by freshman Ashley Sexton with 16.  Both Johnson and Ashlyn Holford had three service aces.  Kaylyn Woods recorded 24 digs while Johnson followed with 23.  Southern Wesleyan had nine blocks with Danairi Malave leading the team with four.

 
Game Vitals

Set One: Erskine 25, Southern Wesleyan 21

Set Two: Southern Wesleyan 25, Erskine 19

Set Three: Erskine 25, Southern Wesleyan 22

Set Four: Southern Wesleyan 25, Erskine 23

Set Five: Erskine 15, Southern Wesleyan 13

Records: Southern Wesleyan (0-2 / CC 0-2) Erskine (1-3 / CC 1-2)


 
How It Happened

Set One
Erskine took the first point of the match on a kill by Reilly Bartlet, but the Warriors countered with kills by Zharia Harris, Danairi Malave and Olivia Johnson to put the Warriors on top 4-2.  Southern Wesleyan continued to push ahead on blocks and kills by Emily Ellis.  The Flying Fleet maintained the pressure with kills by Makenzie Kinne and Kaile Tuisamatatele.  Back-to-back kills by Johnson put the Warriors on top 15-6.  Erskine would not be discouraged as they went on a seven point run to come to 13-15 behind Southern Wesleyan.  A kill by Ashlyn Holford allowed the Warriors to maintain a three point advantage, but the Flying Fleet countered to tie the game up 16-16 minutes later.  Despite a kill by Riley Young, Erskine went on to win the first set 25-21.
 
Set Two
Erskine struck first in the second set on kills by Makenzie Kinne and service aces by Reilly Bartlett.  However, kills by Zharia Harris and Olivia Johnson, and a service ace by Ashlyn Holford allowed the Warriors to tie the set up 3-3.  The Flying Fleet regained the lead, but an ace by Johnson allowed the Warriors to come back to within one.  Kills by Danairi Malave and Emily Ellis kept the Warriors within three.  Erskine continued to push ahead with kills by Bartlett and Maddie Wilson, however attack errors and a kill by Ellis allowed Southern Wesleyan to tie the second set up 14-14.  Southern Wesleyan continued to push ahead on a kill by Riley Young and blocks by Young and Malave.  The Warriors went on to win the second set 25-19.
 
Set Three
Kills by Makenzie Kinne and Kaile Tuisamatatele put the Flying Fleet on top 2-1, but a kill by Danairi Malave allowed the Warriors to tie the third set up 2-2.  Erskine maintained the pressure, taking a 5-2 lead on kills by Tuisamatatele and Katy Torgerson.  However, a kill and ace by Emily Ellis allowed the Warriors to stay within one.  Southern Wesleyan took the lead in the third set on kills by Olivia Johnson and Ashlyn Holford, but a kill by Maddie Wilson put Erskine ahead 12-10.  A kill by Bartlett and an ace by Rebecca Massengill allowed the Flying Fleet to take a 21-18 point lead.  Despite kills by Johnson and Zharia Harris, the Warriors fell in the third set 25-22.
 
Set Four
Southern Wesleyan attacked early in the fourth set as a kill by Olivia Johnson and an ace by Kali Letcher put them on top 4-0.  Erskine countered with kills and an ace by Katy Torgerson to come to 4-3 behind Southern Wesleyan.  The Warriors maintained the attack as Johnson put down kills to take a 7-3 point advantage.  Jauhna Smith delivered a kill to put the Flying Fleet within three, but a kill by Emily Ellis allowed the Warriors to keep their lead at four points.  Kills by Holford and Johnson allowed the Warriors to take a five point lead, but the Flying Fleet countered with a kill by Torgerson and an ace by Smith to come to within three.  Letcher put down a kill to put the Warriors on top 20-15.  Southern Wesleyan went on to win the fourth set 25-23.
 
Set Five
Southern Wesleyan charged out of the gate in the final set as Olivia Johnson put down kills and Ashlyn Holford put up an ace to give the Warriors a 3-0 advantage.  Erskine countered with a kill by Jauhna Smith, but blocks by Emily Ellis and Danairi Malave allowed the Warriors to keep their lead at 6-2.  The Flying Fleet continued to push ahead as they put down kills by Smith to take a 7-6 point lead.  Despite kills by Johnson and Malave, Erskine won the final set 15-13.
 

What's Next

Southern Wesleyan will remain at home on March 6 as they welcome the Emmanuel Lions to Central, SC for a 2 p.m. start.  They will remain at home on March 12 and 13 as they welcome the University of Mount Olive Trojans and Barton College Bulldogs to Central, SC and Historic Tysinger Gymnasium.