'Cats Roll Past Rams, 3-0, in Critical A-10 Win

Sunday, October 30

Davidson, N.C.

1:00 p.m.

Davidson College

10-15 (5-6 A-10)

Fordham

10-16 (3-8 A-10)

Fordham

Davidson

Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com

'Cats Roll Past Rams, 3-0, in Critical A-10 Win

10/30/2016 3:08:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

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Davidson-Fordham Box Score (PDF)
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DAVIDSON, N.C. – Davidson volleyball picked up a critical win in the race for the Atlantic 10 Tournament, downing Fordham in straight sets Sunday in Belk Arena at Baker Sports Complex, taking the match by scores of 25-19, 25-14, 28-26.

The Wildcats improve to 10-15 on the season, and 5-6 in A-10 action, while the Rams slip to 10-16, 3-8 A-10. The win marks the fifth time this season that Davidson has swept an opponent, and the second time in league play. Fordham has now fallen in nine straight sets to the 'Cats, dating back to September of the 2015 season.

"The team performed at a high level when we needed them to," head coach Chris Willis said. "This was a great match in terms of positioning ourselves for the A-10 tournament. I'm very proud of our blocking defense and serve-receives really came around. The next two weekends are going to be really exciting and we're looking forward to it."

The 'Cats were led by a nine-kill performance from junior Kelly Friers, and freshman Elise Edman, who turned in three straight service aces to accompany her team-high 10 digs. Senior Emily Franklin had another fantastic day at the net, registering three solo blocks and assisted in six others to continue her nationally-recognized senior blocking campaign.

The Wildcats as a team continued to put up strong defense, with seven players registering at least one block and limiting the league's runner-up in kills, three-time Rookie of the Week Olivia Fairchild, to just five slams for Fordham.

Davidson started slow in the opening stanza, bringing the set to a 10-10 tie before taking nine of the next 11 points and going up 20-13 before Friers provided the final slam of the set to seal it in favor of the Wildcats 25-19.

The 'Cats stayed in command during the second frame, leading by as many as nine points on two separate occasions. It was during this set that Edman dominated at the service line, beginning her sequence with an eventual kill by Friers, followed by back-to-back-to-back aces, and then finishing like she started, with another eventual Friers slam. Not long after, Sam Thompson followed Edman's suit, controlling the serve that set up for a 5-0 rally for the 'Cats, who went on to take the frame 25-14.

Following the intermission, Fordham put up a fight, taking an early lead they would not completely relinquish until the 15-14 mark. The set saw a total of 14 tied scores after the Rams battled back to force two extra match points before three straight Fordham miscues handed Davidson the 28-26 victory.

The 'Cats conclude their home season next weekend, welcoming VCU in a rematch from earlier this season. The match is slated for Saturday, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m., where seniors and captains Emily Franklin and Mikayla Derochie will be honored prior to the contest.