Saturday, August 27
Rock Hill, S.C.
10:00 a.m.
Davidson College
3
vs
2
UNC Wilmington
Sophomore Caroline Brown
Davidson Outlasts UNC Wilmington in Five Sets
8/27/2011 12:57:00 PM | Volleyball
Box Score
ROCK HILL, S.C. — Sophomore outside hitter Caroline Brown, senior middle hitter Madison Benedict and senior outside hitter Christine Perzinski each finished with double-digits in kills as the Davidson Wildcat volleyball team defeated the UNC Wilmington Seahawks, 3-2 (25-20, 23-25, 25-13, 23-25, 15-7) in the opening game of the final day at the Winthrop Classic.
Coming off an outstanding performance against the Bears, Brown bettered her career high with 19 kills with a career-best 19 digs to lead Davidson (2-0). Junior setter Ariel Ley also turned in a double-double for a second straight match, finishing with a career-best 54 assists with 10 digs. Benedict tallied 14 kills, and Perzinski nearly had a double-double with 12 kills and nine digs.
UNC Wilmington (0-2) also had three players in double-digits with Leah Gagliardi, Sarah Fitzgerald and Christi Laite each recording 14 kills. Kelsey Bendig finished with 39 assists, and Haley Collins paced the Seahawk defense with 16 digs.
"We didn't play our best today, so our girls learned how to grind out a win," head coach Chris Willis said. "We are learning to play at a high level from the start, and when we do, we have a chance against anyone. Today was a great learning experience, and we were fortunate to get the win also."
With the first set tied at five, the Wildcats used a 6-1 run, including kills from Brown, Perzinski and sophomore middle hitter Tindall Sewell to take an 11-6 lead. Davidson controlled play throughout most of the set, pushing its lead to 23-15, but the Seahawks threatened late by winning five straight. Back-to-back kills from Perzinski and Sewell put the set away for Davidson, though, 25-23.
The Wildcats fought back from a 17-10 deficit in the second set to tie the score at 21 behind an 11-4 swing. The teams traded points as Davidson got a pair of kills from senior opposite Erin Lupfer, but after Emily Mohrman gave the Seahawks a set-point chance, UNC Wilmington evened the match with a 25-23 victory.
After the break, Davidson was in a complete control of the third set, busting up a 4-4 tie with a 12-3 run to open up a 15-7 lead. UNC Wilmington never threatened, and the Wildcats closed with a 7-0 run as Perzinski served out the set for the 25-13 win.
But Davidson failed to carry the momentum into the fourth set, falling behind 7-1. The Wildcats clawed back with an 8-2 spurt to tie the score at nine. The teams traded 3-0 runs and the score remained tied at 13, until Wilmington rattled off five straight points to open an 18-13 advantage. Davidson fought off three set points before Gagliardi forced a fifth and decisive set with the 25-23 Seahawk victory.
The Wildcats returned to form in the fifth set, taking control of the abbreviated frame with a 6-1 run, including a pair of kills from Brown, to go ahead 11-5. Davidson finished out the match on a 6-2 swing, as Benedict, Sewell and Brown each scored a point to lead the 'Cats to a 15-7 win for the match.
Davidson, who swept Mercer last night, will look to finish tournament play undefeated as they take on host Winthrop tonight at 7 p.m. at The Winthrop Coliseum.
ROCK HILL, S.C. — Sophomore outside hitter Caroline Brown, senior middle hitter Madison Benedict and senior outside hitter Christine Perzinski each finished with double-digits in kills as the Davidson Wildcat volleyball team defeated the UNC Wilmington Seahawks, 3-2 (25-20, 23-25, 25-13, 23-25, 15-7) in the opening game of the final day at the Winthrop Classic.
Coming off an outstanding performance against the Bears, Brown bettered her career high with 19 kills with a career-best 19 digs to lead Davidson (2-0). Junior setter Ariel Ley also turned in a double-double for a second straight match, finishing with a career-best 54 assists with 10 digs. Benedict tallied 14 kills, and Perzinski nearly had a double-double with 12 kills and nine digs.
UNC Wilmington (0-2) also had three players in double-digits with Leah Gagliardi, Sarah Fitzgerald and Christi Laite each recording 14 kills. Kelsey Bendig finished with 39 assists, and Haley Collins paced the Seahawk defense with 16 digs.
"We didn't play our best today, so our girls learned how to grind out a win," head coach Chris Willis said. "We are learning to play at a high level from the start, and when we do, we have a chance against anyone. Today was a great learning experience, and we were fortunate to get the win also."
With the first set tied at five, the Wildcats used a 6-1 run, including kills from Brown, Perzinski and sophomore middle hitter Tindall Sewell to take an 11-6 lead. Davidson controlled play throughout most of the set, pushing its lead to 23-15, but the Seahawks threatened late by winning five straight. Back-to-back kills from Perzinski and Sewell put the set away for Davidson, though, 25-23.
The Wildcats fought back from a 17-10 deficit in the second set to tie the score at 21 behind an 11-4 swing. The teams traded points as Davidson got a pair of kills from senior opposite Erin Lupfer, but after Emily Mohrman gave the Seahawks a set-point chance, UNC Wilmington evened the match with a 25-23 victory.
After the break, Davidson was in a complete control of the third set, busting up a 4-4 tie with a 12-3 run to open up a 15-7 lead. UNC Wilmington never threatened, and the Wildcats closed with a 7-0 run as Perzinski served out the set for the 25-13 win.
But Davidson failed to carry the momentum into the fourth set, falling behind 7-1. The Wildcats clawed back with an 8-2 spurt to tie the score at nine. The teams traded 3-0 runs and the score remained tied at 13, until Wilmington rattled off five straight points to open an 18-13 advantage. Davidson fought off three set points before Gagliardi forced a fifth and decisive set with the 25-23 Seahawk victory.
The Wildcats returned to form in the fifth set, taking control of the abbreviated frame with a 6-1 run, including a pair of kills from Brown, to go ahead 11-5. Davidson finished out the match on a 6-2 swing, as Benedict, Sewell and Brown each scored a point to lead the 'Cats to a 15-7 win for the match.
Davidson, who swept Mercer last night, will look to finish tournament play undefeated as they take on host Winthrop tonight at 7 p.m. at The Winthrop Coliseum.
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