Due West, SC – Southern Wesleyan took down the Erskine Flying Fleet on Wednesday evening in a 3-0 final score.
The Warriors totaled 44 kills and posted a .315 kill percentage in the victory over the Flying Fleet. Gracie Wilson led the team with 10 kills. She was closely followed by Angel Jimenez (9), Micheala Andress (8) and Sarah Mitchell (8). Katie Fulton totaled 23 of the 42 assists of the evening. Fellow setter Amiyah Spann had 15 assists. Andress and Alexxis Wader each served up two aces.
Southern Wesleyan picked up 57 digs during the match with Angel Jimenez leading the team with 17. Micheala Andress was hot on her heels with 11 digs. The Warriors had 11 blocks with Gracie Wilson leading the team with five. Andress had three blocks.
Match Vitals
Set One Final: Southern Wesleyan 25, Erskine 14
Set Two Final: Southern Wesleyan 25, Erskine 20
Set Three Final: Southern Wesleyan 25, Erskine 23
Records: Southern Wesleyan (8-8 / CC 5-5) Erskine (5-15 / CC 2-9)
How It Happened
Set One
Southern Wesleyan charged out of the gate in the first set as Gracie Wilson put down a kill. The Warriors pushed on as kills by Megan Gilliland and Angel Jimenez, and aces by Micheala Andress allowed the Warriors to quickly take a 6-0 point lead before a kill by Ryleigh Taylor put the Flying Fleet on the board. The Flying Fleet fought back as an ace by Ella Dietrich put them back within three. However, the Warriors extended their lead once again as Andress and Karson Haley delivered kills. Katie Fulton set the ball up for Gracie Wilson who then drilled the ball down to the floor for a kill that extended the Warriors lead to 16-9. Southern Wesleyan would not relent as another kill by Micheala Andress and an attack error by Erskine allowed them to take a 25-14 first set victory.
Set Two
An early attack error by Erskine allowed the Warriors to take the first point of the second set. Erskine countered with a kill by Becca Yohe and an ace by Ella Dietrich to put them on top by one. The Warriors were not discouraged as they went on a four point run spearheaded by a kill by freshman Sarah Mitchell to take an 8-5 point lead. Amiyah Spann set the ball up for Micheala Andress who sent the ball down for a kill. The Warriors continued to distance themselves from the Flying Fleet as Katie Fulton served in an ace. A kill by Kimmy Stiltner put Erskine back within five points of the Warriors. However, the Warriors would gain the upper hand as kills by Katie Fulton and Angel Jimenez allowed them to take the second set 25-20.
Set Three
Erskine took the first point of the final set off a kill by Brianna Beyerle. However, a kill by Micheala Andress allowed the Warriors to quickly tie the set back up. The Flying Fleet pushed on as they regained the lead and went on a five point run. Southern Wesleyan was not discouraged as they slowly began to chip away at Erskine's lead. An ace by Alexxis Wader and a kill by Karson Haley put them back within three points of the Flying Fleet. Angel Jimenez laid down a kill that spearheaded a six point scoring run that ultimately led to the Warriors gaining the lead. It was short lived as a kill by Becca Yohe put Erskine back on top. Gracie Wilson and Micheala Andress went up and blocked an attack by Alexis Waddy. Wilson laid down a kill shortly afterwards to tie the set up 23-23. Southern Wesleyan pushed on as another block by Wilson and Andress allowed the Warriors to claim the final set in a 25-23 final.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will remain on the road on October 25 as they travel to Pembroke, NC to take on the UNC Pembroke Braves at 6pm. They will then take on the Francis Marion Patriots on October 26 at 2pm in Florence, SC. The Warriors will travel to Young Harris, GA on October 26 to take on the Young Harris Mountain Lions.
