Volleyball drops regular-season finale to Brenau

GAINESVILLE, Ga. (Nov. 2, 2021) — The Point University volleyball team traveled to Brenau University Tuesday evening to face the Golden Tigers in its final Appalachian Athletic Conference regular-season matchup of the season, and fell 3-1 (15-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-23). 

Set by set 

The Skyhawks jumped out to an early 5-1 lead to start the match, which began with a kill from Audrey Blaschke. The Skyhawks opened the game with four kills and an ace. Brenau responded with an 8-0 run and did not let up as the Tigers went on to win the opening set. 

Brenau took a 4-2 lead to start set two but Point tied the set up three times, before an attack error from Brenau gave Point the lead (7-6). The Golden Tigers would tie the set two more times, but a kill from Brooke McCarty would give Point the lead and the Skyhawks score the next four points. The Skyhawks would hold its lead for the remainder of the set, bringing the match score to 1-1. 

In the third set, Point led 22-21 after an ace from Abby Solomon, but Brenau would connect for two kills and two service aces to close the third set on a 4-0 run. The third set featured 12 ties and seven lead changes. 

Brenau carried its momentum over to the fourth set, jumping out to a 6-1 lead. Point tied the score 9-9 after a kill from Te'a Owens but the Golden Tigers would go on to score nine of the next 10 points, taking an 18-10 lead. Brenau's lead did not deflate Point's efforts as the Skyhawks battled back and bring the score within one (23-22), following a kill from Sameily Marquez, but the Golden Tigers were able to get the final two points needed to earn the match victory. 

By the numbers 

Kaitlyn Hawke and Owens recorded double-doubles with Hawke registering 14 assists and 18 digs and Owens finishing with 15 kills and 12 digs. Solomon nearly clinched a double-double with 15 assists and eight digs and Whitney Ward almost did as well, as she recorded a game-high of 24 digs and seven kills. Blaschke helped lead Point's defense with 14 digs and McCarty followed Owens with eight kills. 

With the completion of Tuesday's match, the Skyhawks finish the regular-season 13-15 (10-10 AAC). The Skyhawks will now prepare for the AAC tournament which is set to be held at the MeadowView Convention Center in Kingsport, Tennessee. More details on the tournament will be coming soon.