Saturday, August 30
Winston-Salem, N.C.
10:00 a.m.
Davidson College
0
vs
3
Winthrop
'Cats Split Matches on Final Day at Black & Gold Challenge
8/30/2008 6:12:12 PM | Volleyball
Winthrop Box Score
Norfolk State Box Score
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The Davidson Wildcats dropped a close decision to the Winthrop Eagles, 3-0 (25-19, 26-24, 25-21), before picking up their first win of the season, a 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-15) triumph over Norfolk State Saturday afternoon.
Davidson finishes the opening weekend with a 1-2 overall record. Norfolk State remains winless, 0-3, while Winthrop and Wake Forest, both 2-0, face each other in the nightcap to close tournament play.
With two matches on the final day, the Wildcats faced Winthrop in a 10 a.m. match and gave the Eagles, a volleyball power in the Big South, a battle. In the first game, Davidson took an early 4-1 lead with freshman Jessica McAlvany serving, but a putaway from Winthrop's Kelly Taylor knotted play at five. The teams traded points, staying tied at 8-8, when the Eagles began to pull away. Nursing a 14-11 lead, Winthrop went on a 9-1 run and secured a 25-19 win.
The Wildcats were in control of the second game, leading 16-12, until three straight hitting errors gave Winthrop new life. Davidson stayed a point up throughout most of the match, as late as 23-21, until back-to-back points from Kellie Sellers and Shannon Sitzmann tied the score at 23. Kelsey Hall aced her serve to give the Eagles a game-point try, but a bad set tied the score and forced overtime. Sitzmann gave the Eagles advantage, and Sellers lifted her team to a 26-24 win to pull ahead 2-0 in the match.
The third game was much of the same, with the teams battling for points and tied as late as 17-17. Winthrop opened a slight lead with a 3-0 run and would not be dismissed, marching to victory with a 25-21 win.
The 'Cats hit the court again at 4:30, taking on Norfolk State in their final match of the tournament. Sophomore outside hitter Sarabeth Peele put together her best match of the tournament, finishing with 11 kills and hitting .333 (11-3-24). Sophomore Hayley Lawson had 22 assists, and senior middle blocker Kittery Neale led the defense with eight digs.
Davidson and Norfolk State traded points to open the match, before the 'Cats pulled away behind a four-point serve from sophomore Jennifer Chamblee, 11-9. Davidson extended the lead to 17-13, with a 7-3 run, and went on for the 25-18 win.
In game two, sophomore middle blocker Jorden Benedict showed strong serving, winning four straight points off hitting errors, to give the 'Cats a 5-2 lead. Davidson controlled much of the second, but four straight Wildcat errors allowed State to tie the game at 16 and pull ahead, 18-16, with Angie Clewis serving seven straight points. Not to be denied, a service error and Peele putaway tied the score, and she served out the game for a 25-19 win.
Davidson took no chances in the final game, taking an insurmountable 19-9 lead. The 25-15 win delivered the first win of the season for the Wildcats, who return to action next weekend at the Carolina Classic in Chapel Hill, N.C. Davidson will play Georgetown Sept. 5 at 4:30, and Missouri State and host North Carolina at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., respectively, the following day.
Gold & Black All-Tournament Team
Natalie Mullikin, Wake Forest– MVP
Megan Thornberry, Wake Forest
Shannon Sitzmann, Winthrop
Kellie Sellers, Winthrop
Kittery Neale, Davidson
Aurelia Isham, Norfolk State
Norfolk State Box Score
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The Davidson Wildcats dropped a close decision to the Winthrop Eagles, 3-0 (25-19, 26-24, 25-21), before picking up their first win of the season, a 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-15) triumph over Norfolk State Saturday afternoon.
Davidson finishes the opening weekend with a 1-2 overall record. Norfolk State remains winless, 0-3, while Winthrop and Wake Forest, both 2-0, face each other in the nightcap to close tournament play.
With two matches on the final day, the Wildcats faced Winthrop in a 10 a.m. match and gave the Eagles, a volleyball power in the Big South, a battle. In the first game, Davidson took an early 4-1 lead with freshman Jessica McAlvany serving, but a putaway from Winthrop's Kelly Taylor knotted play at five. The teams traded points, staying tied at 8-8, when the Eagles began to pull away. Nursing a 14-11 lead, Winthrop went on a 9-1 run and secured a 25-19 win.
The Wildcats were in control of the second game, leading 16-12, until three straight hitting errors gave Winthrop new life. Davidson stayed a point up throughout most of the match, as late as 23-21, until back-to-back points from Kellie Sellers and Shannon Sitzmann tied the score at 23. Kelsey Hall aced her serve to give the Eagles a game-point try, but a bad set tied the score and forced overtime. Sitzmann gave the Eagles advantage, and Sellers lifted her team to a 26-24 win to pull ahead 2-0 in the match.
The third game was much of the same, with the teams battling for points and tied as late as 17-17. Winthrop opened a slight lead with a 3-0 run and would not be dismissed, marching to victory with a 25-21 win.
The 'Cats hit the court again at 4:30, taking on Norfolk State in their final match of the tournament. Sophomore outside hitter Sarabeth Peele put together her best match of the tournament, finishing with 11 kills and hitting .333 (11-3-24). Sophomore Hayley Lawson had 22 assists, and senior middle blocker Kittery Neale led the defense with eight digs.
Davidson and Norfolk State traded points to open the match, before the 'Cats pulled away behind a four-point serve from sophomore Jennifer Chamblee, 11-9. Davidson extended the lead to 17-13, with a 7-3 run, and went on for the 25-18 win.
In game two, sophomore middle blocker Jorden Benedict showed strong serving, winning four straight points off hitting errors, to give the 'Cats a 5-2 lead. Davidson controlled much of the second, but four straight Wildcat errors allowed State to tie the game at 16 and pull ahead, 18-16, with Angie Clewis serving seven straight points. Not to be denied, a service error and Peele putaway tied the score, and she served out the game for a 25-19 win.
Davidson took no chances in the final game, taking an insurmountable 19-9 lead. The 25-15 win delivered the first win of the season for the Wildcats, who return to action next weekend at the Carolina Classic in Chapel Hill, N.C. Davidson will play Georgetown Sept. 5 at 4:30, and Missouri State and host North Carolina at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., respectively, the following day.
Gold & Black All-Tournament Team
Natalie Mullikin, Wake Forest– MVP
Megan Thornberry, Wake Forest
Shannon Sitzmann, Winthrop
Kellie Sellers, Winthrop
Kittery Neale, Davidson
Aurelia Isham, Norfolk State
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