CARROLLTON, Ga.-The Christian Brothers University Lady Bucs split a pair of matches Saturday as they rallied for a five-set win over Embry-Riddle after dropping a morning three-setter to Rollins in the 2015 South Region Crossover.
MATCH 1:WHAT HAPPENED:Rollins (4-13) hit .244 as they swept a three-set match from the Lady Bucs (7-14).
HOW IT HAPPENED:• In the first set, neither team led by more than three points throughout the set, which was tied as late as 19-19. The Lady Bucs closed within 23-22, but Rollins scored the last two points to win 25-22.
• In the second set, the Tars jumped to early of 5-1, 8-4 and 14-7. The Lady Bucs answered with a 6-1 run to come within 15-13, and they came within a single point later at 22-21 but the Tars again held on for a 25-21 win.
• The Tars blew open what had been a back-and-forth third set with a five-point run that broke a 13-all tie, and the Tars went on to win 25-18 to seal victory.
KEY STATS:•
Alexis Gillis (Corpus Christi, Texas/Carroll HS) led CBU with 11 digs to go with 10 kills.
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Blythe Clausen (Hendersonvile, Tenn./Pope John Paul II HS) logged a team-best 14 digs.
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Alexa Henderson (Prairie du Sac, Wis./Sauk Prairie HS) added 10 digs.
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Brinsley Cooper (Rossville, Ind./Rossville HS) had eight kills with four blocks.
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Jessica Reber (Byron, Ill./Byron HS) dished out 27 assists with six digs.
MATCH 2:WHAT HAPPENED:The Lady Bucs outlasted Embry-Riddle (12-6) in a five-set marathon in their final match of the crossover.
HOW IT HAPPENED:• The Eagles took an early lead in the first set, using a four-point run to take a 9-5 advantage. The Lady Bucs answered with a 12-3 burst, taking an 18-13 lead on a
Mary Kathryn Miller (Fulton, Ky./Fulton City HS) ace. The Eagles answered with six straight to take a 19-18 edge, then they took a 21-19 lead after scoring two more. The teams traded leads yet again, and the Lady Bucs sealed victory by scoring the final three points to win 25-22 on a double-block by Miller and
Emily Justice (Horn Lake, Miss./Lake Cormorant HS).
• ERAU jumped to a commanding 15-5 lead in the second set and never let CBU come closer than seven points again in a 25-12 win.
• CBU answered by using an 8-1 run to blow open a close third set and take a 20-14 led, eventually winning 25-20.
• The Eagles used a four-point run to take an 11-8 lead in the fourth set, and a three-point run gave them a 15-10 lead. They never allowed CBU closer than two points again as they won 25-19 to force a decisive fifth set.
• Neither team could create separation early in the fifth set, with no lead of more than two points in the first half of the set. After the Eagles pulled within 9-8, the Lady Bucs scored six of the final eight points to win 15-10 to clinch the victory.
KEY STATS:• Gillis pounded 20 kills with 17 digs.
• Cooper racked up 17 kills and three blocks.
• Clausen set a career-high with 28 digs.
• Reber dished out 53 assists with 12 digs.
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Demi Chipman (Bartlett, Tenn./Bartlett HS) notched 11 digs.
• Miller had eight kills, three blocks and a match-best five aces.
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Nina Tuszynski (Naperville, Ill./Metea Valley HS) added eight kills.
NOTABLE:Reber was voted to the All-Tournament Team by the tournament's coaches. She was joined by JaQuayla Baker (Eckerd), Dana Holger (Nova Southeastern), Faith Rohn (Palm Beach Atlantic), Bri Civiero (Rollins), Tiffany Ancrum (West Georgia), Jessica Codato (Valdosta State), Tiffany Estep (Shorter), MaryEllen Pole (Rollins), Berkely Whaley (Tampa) and tournament most valuable player Jessica Wagner of Tampa.
WHAT'S NEXT:The Lady Bucs close out the regular season with nine GSC matches, beginning Thursday night at 7 p.m. when they visit Union. Their next home match is set for Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. when they host Mississippi College.
