VALDOSTA, Ga. –
The Rollins College volleyball team claimed victories over
Alabama-Huntsville and Valdosta State in the opening day of the
Courtyard by Marriott VSU Crossover Invitational, Friday at the PE
Complex on the campus of Valdosta State.
The Tars (12-5) opened the tournament with a 3-1 (25-13, 20-25,
25-21, 25-20) victory over the Lady Chargers (1-14). Rollins hit a
collective .194 in the first match as its defense provided the much
needed support.
Alabama-Huntsville was held to a .092 attacking percentage with 27
errors in the contest, while the Tars racked up 79 digs with two
players recording 20 or more. Stephanie
Nichols had the match-high with 21, while junior Nikki
Hartman trailed with 20.
Offensively, four Tars' hitter had double-digit kill performances
with Hartman guiding them with 14. Junior Natalie
Branche's 12 succeeded Nichols and Caitlin
Vyborny's 11 a piece.
Against the Lady Blazers of Valdosta State (9-11), hit a
season-best .354 en route to a 26-24, 25-16, 25-19 victory against
the host institution. After hitting only nine errors as a team,
Hartman put forth her best effort of the season with a .500
attacking percentage with 18 kills.
Freshman Lora Lieb hit a .571 percentage in the match with
four kills, tying her career-high.
Defensively, freshman libero Phoebe
Corder paced the team with 12 digs, while Vyborn was the team
leader with three assisted blocks to limit the Lady Blazers to a
.167 attacking percentage.
The Tars resume action, Saturday, Sept. 27 at 9 a.m. against
Montevallo.
