Volleyball sweeps Montreat to advance in AAC tournament
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (Nov. 10, 2021) – The No. 7 Point University volleyball team cruised their way into the quarterfinal round of the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament, as they defeated No. 10 Montreat College Wednesday afternoon in three sets (25-20, 25-21, 25-23).
"Today we focused on communication and adaptability," Head Coach Faith Gineris said. "Last time we played Montreat, we made adjustments too late and allowed them to go on runs. We really wanted to focus on our side of the court and controlling what we can control. I'm really proud of everyone for doing their job today, no matter how that looked. Everyone being locked in was a major key to our success and what we need moving forward."
The Skyhawks were looking for revenge against the Cavaliers, after dropping their only regular-season matchup of the season on Friday, Oct. 29, in four sets. Point's redemption started with a 9-2 run to open the match up that consisted of kills from Whitney Ward, Te'a Owens and two from Brooke McCarty. The Skyhawks extended their lead out by nine (22-13) before the Cavs went on a 6-2 run to cut Point's lead down to four, but a kill from Sarah Baucham would give the Skyhawks the point they needed to win the opening set.
The second set resembled the first as Point jumped out to an 8-2 lead. This time, Montreat battled back to trail by one following back-to-back attack errors from Point (10-9). Back-to-back kills from Montreat's, Haley Horton, would tie the set 12-12, but a kill from Ward would start a 4-0 run to put Point ahead 16-12. Montreat responded with a 5-0 run, taking the lead for the first time in the match 17-16 after a kill from Kamryn Wolf. Back-to-back kills from Audrey Blaschke and Sameily Marquez would give Point the lead 18-17, before a kill from Montreat's Alessandra Sendler would tie the set once again. This, however, would be the last tie of the set, as three Montreat attack errors, followed by a kill from Blaschke and Ward and two kills from Marquez would help Point take a 2-0 match lead.
Montreat looked to avoid the sweep in the third set as they led 16-12, following an 8-0 run. Point battled back, tying the set at 19 and jumping ahead 22-19, but Montreat responded, tying the set at 23. The following rally, a Montreat service error put Point at set point and Ward would secure the set victory with a kill the following rally.
Point outkilled Montreat 40-34. Serves played a critical role in the game's momentum as Point had four aces and two errors and took advantage of six Montreat service errors. Ward and Marquez led Point's offense with eight kills apiece and was followed by Sarah Baucham with seven kills and McCarty and Mollie Goen with six apiece. Abby Solomon and Linda Schiller split time setting with Solomon recording 23 sets and Schiller recording 13. In defensive efforts, Ward led with 15 digs and Blaschke followed with 10.
With Wednesday's victory, Point advances to the quarterfinal round of the AAC tournament and will face No. 2 seed CIU on Thursday, Nov. 11, at 1:30 p.m.