Emory, VA – Southern Wesleyan took down the Emory & Henry Wasps in non-conference action on Friday in a 3-0 final.
The Warriors totaled 44 kills against the Wasps. Freshman Karson Haley led the team with 13 kills with Ellie Moore and Megan Gilliland behind her with eight kills each. Katie Fulton picked up 20 of the 42 assists. Amiyah Spann had 12 assists. Fulton went on to have two service aces.
Defensively, Southern Wesleyan totaled 67 digs in the match. Faith Paxton had 25 to lead the Warriors. She was followed by Angel Jimenez (12) and Katie Fulton (10). Sarah Mitchel led the Warriors with three blocks with Gracie Wilson right behind her with two.
Match Vitals
Set One Final: Southern Wesleyan 25, Emory & Henry 21
Set Two Final: Southern Wesleyan 25, Emory & Henry 16
Set Three Final: Southern Wesleyan 28, Emory & Henry 26
Records: Southern Wesleyan (2-3) Emory & Henry (1-5)
How It Happened
Set One
Emory & Henry kicked off the first set with a kill by Julissa Hopgood, however, kills by Karson Haley quickly put the Warriors on top. Amiyah Spann set the ball up for Megan Gilliland who put down a kill to extend Southern Wesleyan's lead to two points. Gilliland went on the attack again, but a block by Haley Harnichar allowed the Wasps to come back to within one point of the Warriors.The Wasps continued to challenged with kills by Haley Harnichar, but a kill by Gracie Wilson allowed Southern Wesleyan to tie the set once again. The Warriors attacks picked up in intensity with kills by Karson Haley, Ellie Moore and Sarah Mitchell. Emory & Henry challenged back with another kill by Harnichar. However, the Warriors pushed on with kills by Moore and Haley to claim a 25-21 first set victory.
Set Two
The Wasps took the lead on a kill by Julissa Hopgood. The lead was short-lived as kills by Ellie Moore and Karson Haley allowed the Warriors to regain the lead. Haley put down another kill to extend Southern Wesleyan's lead to 6-4. Amiyah Spann set the ball up for Megan Gilliland who drilled the ball down for a kill to extend Southern Wesleyan's lead to four. Gilliland went on the attack once again, by Haley Harnichar blocked the attack to allow the Wasps to tie the set up. Angel Jimenez put down kills and then Sarah Mitchell collected a service ace to give Southern Wesleyan a 14-10 point lead. Southern Wesleyan pushed on with kills by Gilliland, Karson Haley and Gracie Wilson. Ellie Moore served in an ace to allow the Warriors to take the second set in a 25-16 final score.
Set Three
Once again, the Wasps took the first points of the third set with blocks by Haley Harnichar and Tori Boling. Katie Fulton set the ball up for Gracie Wilson. Wilson drilled down a kill to collect the first point of the set for Southern Welseyan. A block by Wilson allowed Southern to tie the set up 3-3. Gracie Wilson and Karson Haley each put down kills to keep the set tied up. Brianna Hogan attempted to put down a kill for the Wasps, but Megan Gilliland and Sarah Mitchell went up for a block to keep Emory & Henry from taking the lead. Angel Jimenez and Karson Haley each put down kills for Southern Wesleyan. The Wasps pushed ahead with kills by Tori Boling and Brianna Hogan. The Warriors were not discouraged as Gilliland, Jimenez and Haley each put down kills. Emory & Henry took a two point lead on an assisted block by Brianna Hogan and Abigail Leo. A kill by Ellie Moore and then an attack error by the Wasps tied the set up 24-24. The set continued on as Megan Gilliland picked up a kill for Southern Wesleyan, but then Brianna Hogan did the same for Emory & Henry. The Warriors would prevail as they claimed the final set in a 28-26 final to win the match.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will return to Historic Tysinger Gymnasium on September 21 as they host the Coker Cobras at 2pm. They will remain at home on September 25 as they open up Conference Carolinas action against the Converse Valkyries. They will then host the Chowan Hawks on September 27 and the Barton Bulldogs on September 28.
