Central, SC – The Warriors fell to the Erskine Flying Fleet at home on Friday evening in a 3-0 final score.
Southern Wesleyan had 27 kills in the match. Emily Ellis led the team with seven with Gracie Wilson following with five. Of the 25 assists, Amiyah Spann picked up 11 and Hannah Wilson had eight. Both Michaela Andress and Gracie Wilson had two service aces. Faith Paxton led the team with 14 digs. Southern Wesleyan put up eight blocks.
Match Vitals
Set One Final: Erskine 25, Southern Wesleyan 21
Set Two Final: Erskine 25, Southern Wesleyan 21
Set Three Final: Erskine 25, Southern Wesleyan 18
Records: Southern Wesleyan (2-18 / CC 1-12) Erskine (3-18 / CC 3-8)
How It Happened
Set One
Erskine came out quickly in the first set as aces by Sally Spangler put them ahead 3-0. An ace by Gracie Wilson allowed the Warriors to stay within three. Southern Wesleyan fought back with a kill by Gavrielle Elswick and a block by Trinity Eichman. Kills by Emily Ellis and Emma Ronaldson allowed the Warriors to take the lead, but the Flying Fleet tied the set back up on a kill by Jordyn Autry. Erskine pushed ahead as they took a 16-13 point lead on a kill by Rebecca Yohe. The Warriors were not done as Micheala Andress and Trinity Eichman each laid down kills to tie the set up once again. However, Erskine pushed on again to win the first set in a 25-21 final.
Set Two
Southern Wesleyan kicked off the first set with a kill by Gracie Wilson. However, kills by Sally Spangler and Rebecca Yohe allowed the Flying Fleet to take a 2-1 point lead. They continued to distance themselves with more kills by Yohe. Kills by Megan Gilliland and Michaela Andress kept the Warriors within four points of the Flying Fleet. They continued to chip away at Erskine's lead as Gilliland, Wilson and Emily Ellis each put down kills. A kill by Ali Angell allowed Erskine to maintain their two point lead, but Southern Wesleyan countered with kills by Gavrielle Elswick to tie the set up. However, a block by Kimmy Stiltner allowed the Flying Fleet to claim the second set in a 25-21 final.
Set Three
The Flying Fleet maintained their intensity in the final set as kills by Sally Spangler and Ali Angell gave them an early 3-0 point lead. The Warriors got on the board on a kill by Emily Ellis. However, a kill by Rebecca Yohe put the Flying Fleet ahead by seven. The Warriors fought back on a kill by Emma Ronaldson and a service ace by Micheala Andress. Kills by Emily Ellis and a block by Gracie Wilson put the Warriors back within three points, but the Flying Fleet went on a five point run to give them an 18-10 point lead. Southern Wesleyan challenged with kills by Megan Gilliland and Faith Paxton, but Erskine won the final set in a 25-18 final.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will remain at home on October 21 as they host the Emory & Henry Wasps at 2 pm. They will then host the Young Harris Mountain Lions on October 25. The Warriors will travel to Franklin Springs, GA on October 27 at 7 pm to take on the Emmanuel Lions.
