Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan fell to the Young Harris Mountain Lions on Wednesday evening in a 3-2 final.
The Warriors totaled 36 kills with freshman Megan Gilliland leading the team with 11. She was followed by Michaela Andress with nine. Senior Ashley Sexton led the team with 16 assists while freshman Hannah Wilson followed with 12. Southern Wesleyan collected three aces. Of the four blocks, Gracie Wilson had three. Andress had 26 digs.
Match Vitals
Set One Final: Young Harris 25, Southern Wesleyan 15
Set Two Final: Southern Wesleyan 25, Young Harris 22
Set Three Final: Young Harris 25, Southern Wesleyan 13
Set Four Final: Southern Wesleyan 25, Young Harris 17
Set Five Final: Young Harris 15, Southern Wesleyan 11
Records: Southern Wesleyan (3-19 / CC 1-13) Young Harris (10-13 / CC 7-7)
How It Happened
Set One
The Mountain Lions took the first point on an ace by Lyza Thigpen. A kill by Megan Gilliland allowed the Warriors to tie the set up. They pushed ahead on an ace by Faith Paxton and a kill by Michaela Andress. Young Harris pushed on with kills by Nicole Klucharich and Chase Vaigneur. A kill by Gilliland put the Warriors back within three, but the Mountain Lions would not relent as kills by Thigpen extended their lead to six. Young Harris took set one in a 25-15 final.
Set Two
Southern Wesleyan attacked quickly as a service ace by Ashley Sexton gave them an early 2-0 lead. However, an ace by Chase Vaigneur and kill by Shelby Mullins allowed Young Harris to take a two point lead. Back-to-back kills by Megan Gilliland tied the second set up. The Warriors pushed on with a kill by Emily Ellis, but the lead was short lived as a kill by Faith Kelly allowed Young Harris to tie the set once again. Michaela Andress laid down a kill to keep the Warriors on top by two. Once again, the Mountain Lions fought back to tie the set, but back-to-back kills by Emma Ronaldson and Gracie Wilson sealed the second set in the Warriors' favor as they took it in a 25-22 final score.
Set Three
The Mountain Lions started strong in the third set as kills by Faith Kelly and Lily Hidalgo put them on top 2-1. They would not relent their attacks as Chase Vaigneur served back-to-back aces. Kills by Gracie Wilson and Megan Gilliland kept the Warriors within four points of the Mountain Lions. However, Young Harris took a ten point lead on a kill by Vaigneur. The Warriors rallied, but, despite kills by Emily Ellis and Gilliland, Southern Wesleyan dropped the third set to Young Harris in a 25-13 final.
Set Four
The Warriors went on an early run in the fourth set with kills and blocks by Gracie Wilson to put them on top 7-0. A kill by Lily Hidalgo allowed the Mountain Lions to get on the board. Southern Wesleyan would not back down as Wilson put down another kill and an ace to extend the Warriors lead to 10-3. Young Harris fought back as a kill by Chase Vaigneur put them back within four. However, Wilson and Michaela Andress blocked the next attack by the Mountain Lions to keep the threat off the board. The Warriors pushed ahead as kills by Emily Ellis, Gavrielle Elswick and Trinity Eichman allowed them to secure the fourth set in a 25-17 point final.
Set Five
Young Harris attacked quickly in the final set as kills by Lily Hidalgo and Nicole Klucharich allowed them to take a 4-2 point lead. They continued to distance themselves with kills by Shelby Mullins. The Warriors challenged as Michaela Andress laid down a kill. Kills by Andress and Megan Gilliland put them within two, but the Mountain Lions would not relent as an ace by Chase Vaigneur allowed them to secure a 15-11 final set victory.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will next travel to Franklin Springs, GA on October 27 to take on the Emmanuel Lions at 7 pm. They will return to Historic Tysinger Gymnasium on October 28 to host the Georgia College Bobcats. The Warriors will then travel to Hartsville, SC on October 31 to take on the Coker Cobras.
