Neale Gets 19 Kills as Four Touch Double-Figures in 3-1 win at Wofford

Tuesday, October 16

Spartanburg, S.C.

6:00

Davidson College Athletics

at Wofford

Neale Gets 19 Kills as Four Touch Double-Figures in 3-1 win at Wofford

10/16/2007 7:23:55 PM | Volleyball

Lauren Biggers -- Assistant SID

Box Score

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Davidson placed four hitters in double figures, led by junior middle blocker Kittery Neale's 19 kills, as the 'Cats earned a 3-1 (30-19, 24-30, 30-28, 30-28) win over the Wofford Terriers on Tuesday night in Benjamin Johnson Arena.

Freshman outside hitter Sarabeth Peele (18), senior outside hitter Katie Pierucci (15) and freshman middle blocker Jorden Benedict (10) joined Neale in double figures. Benedict hit a match-high .643, posting her 10 kills on just 14 attempts. Freshman setter Hayley Lawson added a match-high 58 assists to the effort, while four players posted double-digits in digs on the defensive end. Pierruci had 14 for her 11th double-double, while Lawson (10), Chamblee (15) and Woeste (13) also contributed.

Stacy Byrd was the lone Terrier in double-digits with 11 kills, while Sarah Palmer paced the defense with a match-high 16 kills.

Davidson moves to 7-16 overall and 2-8 in the SoCon, while Wofford falls to 8-14 and 2-8 in the league.

The Wildcats trailed by a count of 3-0 to open the match, but once a putaway from Lawson put them on top, 8-7, it was all Davidson. Leading 17-13, Neale put together a five-point serve — including back-to-back kills from Peele, to extend Davidson's lead to an overwhelming 21-14 and then punched home the game-winner for a 30-19 win.

The 'Cats again got off to a shaky start in the second game, but this time, were unable to recover. The game was close throughout, but Davidson was always a couple points down and unable to put together a run. A Terrier hitting error put the 'Cats within one, 20-19, but three straight points would give Wofford enough space. Davidson got it back within two, 24-22, but the Terriers closed the game with a 6-2 run to even the match with a 30-24 win.

Both teams came out firing after the break, and the score in the third game was evened as late as 14-14 as the teams traded possessions. With Joanna Suddath serving, the Terriers won the next five points to pull ahead, 18-14, but the 'Cats weren't through just yet. Another Terrier hitting error knotted the score at 23-23, but Davidson remained unable to capitalize — until it mattered. Consecutive kills from Pierucci and Neale knotted the score at 28-28, and sophomore Tierney Hodge gave the 'Cats a game-point chance. Pierucci aced the winner, giving the 'Cats a 2-1 lead with the 30-28 come-from-behind win.

Game four was even more competitive than the third, as almost every point saw a change of possession. There were 13 ties in the game, the last of which was at 25-25, when three Wildcat errors gave Wofford a 28-26 edge. An attack error from the Terriers gave the 'Cats one back, and Peele knotted the score at 28-28. Another kill from Peele coupled with a Terrier error delivered another 30-28 win for the match.

Davidson returns to action this weekend, hosting a pair of SoCon matchups at Belk Arena. The 'Cats take on Western Carolina at 4 p.m. on Saturday and Chattanooga at 2 p.m., Sunday.