The Virginia Wesleyan University volleyball team went 2-0 today, defeating Thiel 3-0 (25,-11, 25-10, and 25-12) and Southern Virginia in three straight sets (25-15, 25-20, and 25-15).
Game One:
The Marlins started hot going on a 6-0 run to start set one. They continued their dominant play going up 15-5 in the set. VWU outscored the Tomcats 10-6 to take set one.
More of the same from the Marlins in set two as they went on a torrid 12-2 run before Thiel countered with a 3-0 run to cut the lead to 12-5. The Tomcats chipped away at the VWU lead to bring the score to 19-10, but the Marlins went on a 6-0 run to end set two 25-10.
Thiel fought hard in the third set going up 6-2 early for their first lead of the match. VWU would go on a 7-2 run to take a 9-8 advantage over Thiel. The Marlins outscored the Tomcats 16-4 to take the 3-0 win over Thiel.
Morgan Ludovici led the team with six kills with a .333 hitting percentage, two service aces, and three digs,
Abigail Mahoney tallied seven kills with a .636 hitting percentage, one block assist, and two digs.
Hannah Smith had six kills with a .267 hitting percentage, and 12 digs, and teammate
Haley Sutton had 23 assists, with three service aces, and six digs.
Game Two:
Virginia Wesleyan built a 7-3 lead in set one against the Knights, but the visitors countered with a 4-0 run tying the game at 7-7. The Marlins came back with a 5-0 run to take a 12-7 lead and continued to extend their lead making it 18-10. The Knights fought to rally back into the game but the Marlins lead gave them the 25-15 lead in set one.
The Marlins were hot in the second set going up 12-4 with some great play from
Morgan Ludovici. The Knights rallied with a 4-1 run to cut the lead to 17-10, but the Marlins countered with a 6-2 run to lead 22-11. Southern Virginia wasn't giving up as they outscored the Marlins 9-3 down the stretch, but the Marlins lead was too much and they took set two 25-20.
A hard-fought third set as neither team led by more than a point midway through the set. The Knight held a narrow 14-13 lead before the Marlins scored nine straight points with great play from
Hannah Smith who had three kills during the run. That rally sealed the 25-15 win over Southern Virginia.
Hanna Smith led the team with 10 kills with a .391 hitting percentage, 13 digs, two assists, and one block assist,
Abigail Mahoney registered 11 kills with a .333 hitting percentage and two digs, and
Morgan Ludovici had six kills with a .250 hitting percentage, three service aces, and 11 digs.
Haley Sutton recorded 17 assists, three service aces, and five digs, and
Niya Nash had 13 assists with two service aces and four digs.
