LAKELAND, Fla. (September 2, 2011) - The Tars
volleyball team opened the 2011 season with a 3-0 win over the St.
Edward's Hilltoppers at the FSC Classic Friday afternoon. Rollins
won by scores of 25-18, 26-24, and 25-18 and will face New Haven in
the second match of the tournament.
Reigning Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year, Megan
Hodges led the Tars offense with 21 kills, to go along with eight
digs. Camille Indest, Kelly Merideth, and Jessica Wilson each
added eight kills apiece. Junior setter Kiana Parks tallied 40 of
the Tars' 45 total assists.
The Tars took it one match at a time, as they were able to make
quick work of their opponent in game one (25-18). Game two (26-24)
brought more of a challenge as the team saw themselves down by as
many as two points, their largest deficit, on several
occasions.
After St. Edward's Ashley Vander Hey extended the Hilltoppers
lead by two, 16-14, a blocking error broke SEU's momentum. A kill
by Jessica Wilson knotted up the score at 16-all and gave the Tars
a chance to jump out ahead. A team ace would give the Tars a 19-18
lead and would hold through until St. Edward's scored three
straight points to come within one of Rollins, 23-22. A kill by
Hodges gave the Tars a two point advantage and match point, but the
Hilltoppers would not go down without a fight, scoring two more
points on kills by Elissa Stanton and Courtney Trevino. Rollins
was able to seal the deal on a block assist by Indest and Merideth,
followed by a kill by Collyn Welsch.
Game three was a tight race throughout with the final tie coming
at 17-all. A kill by Hodges gave the Tars the go-ahead lead.
Rollins scored four of the final eight points on kills by Hodges
and Wilson.
Rollins will face New Haven in the second match of the FSC
Classic at 1:30 p.m. For live action of the Tars, check out the
Tars Sports Network at RollinsSports.com.
