MEMPHIS-The Christian Brothers University Lady Bucs racked up 12 aces and a season-best 13 blocks as they rolled to a four-set win over Union Tuesday night in the Gulf South Conference opener for both schools.
CBU 3, Union 1 (25-17, 23-25, 25-17, 25-9):
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Lady Bucs (6-7, 1-0 GSC) used a six-point run capped by an
Emma Lenoir (Chattanooga, Tenn./East Hamilton HS) kill to stake a 14-9 lead they would not relinquish in the opening set, and they built their lead to as many as nine points in the set as they went to win 25-17.
• Back-to-back
Kapria Manning (Olive Branch, Miss./Center Hill HS) aces gave the Lady Bucs a 10-7 edge in the second set, but Union answered with a three-point run to tie the set, and neither team would lead by more than three points again. The set was tied as late as 22-all before Union scored three of the last four points to win 25-23.
• An 8-2 run gave CBU a 15-10 edge in the third set as
Gennah Schoen (Portland, Ore./David Douglas HS) capped the burst with a solo block. The Lady Bulldogs pulled back within two points, but CBU used an 8-1 run capped by an
Erica Maurer (St. Louis, Mo./Ursuline Academy) kill to take an 8-1 lead, eventually winning 24-15.
• CBU scored the first seven points in the fourth set, three on aces by
Alexa Henderson (Prairie du Sac, Wis./Sauk Prairie HS). CBU built a commanding 14-2 lead on a
Blythe Clausen (Hendersonvile, Tenn./Pope John Paul II HS) ace. The Lady Bucs pulled away to a 25-9 win, hitting .400 in the set.
KEY STATS:
• Maurer hit .591 with 13 kills and six blocks.
• Lenoir led the Lady Bucs with 17 kills and 21 points, adding 15 digs, three aces and two blocks.
• Schoen racked up a career-high eight blocks to go with five kills and a .400 hitting percentage.
• Henderson dished out 37 assists with 10 digs, four aces and two kills.
• Clausen garnered a match-high 20 digs.
• Manning logged nine digs with four aces.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Lady Bucs return to action Friday night at 6 p.m. as they host Lee. They also play at home Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. against Shorter.