Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan picked up their first Conference Carolinas victory of the season as they took down the King Tornado in a 3-0 final. The victory is the first time the Warriors have defeated the Tornado since the 2017 season.
The Warriors recorded 44 kills with Michaela Andress leading the team with 11. Andress was followed by Emily Ellis with nine and Emma Ronaldson with eight. Hannah Wilson led the team with 23 of the 41 assists. Behind her, Amiyah Spann had 13 assists. Andress had the lone service ace. Southern Wesleyan had eight blocks with Gracie Wilson leading the team with four. Faith Paxton led the team with 17 digs.
Match Vitals
Set One Final: Southern Wesleyan 25, King 23
Set Two Final: Southern Wesleyan 25, King 23
Set Three Final: Southern Wesleyan 26, King 24
Records: Southern Wesleyan (2-16 / CC 1-10) King (6-12 / CC 3-6)
How It Happened
Set One
King took the first point of the set on an assisted block by Abigale Jayne and Izzy Krick. Southern Wesleyan countered with kills by Emily Ellis, Gracie Wilson and Michaela Andress to put the Warriors on top 3-1. The Tornado would not relent as aces by Caroline Cable allowed them to regain the lead. Michaela Andress received a pass from Faith Paxton and put down a kill to tie the set up 4-4. King pushed ahead, but Southern Wesleyan continued to counter their every attack. Emily Ellis laid down a kill to put the Warriors back on top, but a kill by Abigail Belcher tied the set once again. Southern Wesleyan pushed on as Gracie Wilson blocked an attack by Gracia Love, and then Michaela Andress killed the ball to put the Warriors up by three points. The Warriors went on to win the first set 25-23.
Set Two
Southern Wesleyan charged out of the gate and took an early 3-0 point lead on kills by Emily Ellis and an assisted block by Gavrielle Elswick and Gracie Wilson. King countered on a kill by Gracia Love. However, a kill by Wilson allowed the Warriors stay ahead by three. The Tornado would not relent as an ace by Izzy Krick and kill by Hailee Blankenship allowed King to tie the set. Hannah Wilson passed the ball up to Michaela Andress who put down a kill to give the Warriors an 8-7 point advantage. They pushed on as Emily Ellis put down back-to-back kills. Attack errors by the Tornado allow the Warriors to take a three point lead. Southern Wesleyan pushed on with kills by Andress and Emma Ronaldson. The Warriors went on to take the second set in a 25-23 final.
Set Three
The Tornado took the first point of the third set on a block by Riley Nelson. However, kills by Emily Ellis and Michaela Andress allowed the Warriors to take a 2-1 point lead. Hailee Blankenship killed the ball off a pass from Katie Harless to tie the set up. Southern Wesleyan would not relent as Emma Ronaldson and Emily Ellis put down consecutive kills to give the Warriors a two point advantage. King fought back as kills by Abigale Jayne and Riley Nelson allowed them to take the lead. The Tornado pushed on, but kills by Trinity Eichman allowed the Warriors to stay within one. Gracie Wilson drove the ball down for a kill to tie the set once again. King maintained the attacks as they took a 21-17 point lead on a kill by Bailey Fersner. The Warriors fought back as Ronaldson and Eichman blocked an attack by Fersner. Michaela Andress laid down an ace and then Emily Ellis put down a kill to tie the set 23-23. Southern Wesleyan would not relent as kills by Ronaldson allowed the Warriors to take a 26-24 point victory.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will remain at home on October 18 as they host the North Greenville Crusaders at 7pm. They will then host the Erskine Flying Fleet on October 20 at 6pm. The Warriors will host the Emory & Henry Wasps in non-conference play on October 21.
