Volleyball splits day two of Vette City Classic

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (Aug. 20, 2022) – The Point University volleyball team earned its first win of the 2022 season with a thrilling five-set victory over UT Southern at the Vette City Classic Saturday afternoon.

Point 3, UT Southern 2 (16-25, 25-20, 17-25, 25-23, 19-17)

Point jumped out to a 4-3 lead in the opening set before the Firehawks went on a 9-2 run. UT Southern extended its lead and captured the set 25-16.

Three Firehawk errors and a kill from Jadakate Judkins helped Point take a 6-3 lead in the second set, and the Skyhawks would remain in the lead for the rest of the set to tie the match 1-1.

In the third set, the Skyhawks held a 9-7 lead before UT Southern went on a 9-2 run and went ahead 16-11. The Firehawks would win the third set and take a 2-1 lead.

Point came out in the fourth set with heavy momentum, as the Skyhawks jumped ahead 10-4. A UT Southern error earned Point its first point of the set before Sarah Baucham and Sameily Marquez connected for four kills to extend the lead. The Firehawks brought the score back within one (12-11), but that was as close as they would get as the Skyhawks held the lead for the remainder of the set.

UT Southern looked poised for victory in the deciding set, as the Firehawks jumped ahead 7-1. The Skyhawks began to chip away at the Firehawks' lead, bringing the score within four, with UT Southern just two points away from victory (13-9). Back-to-back kills from Whitney Ward would spark a late set comeback, as the Skyhawks tied the set at 14 and sent it past regulation end, where Point would go on to victory.

Ward recorded the Skyhawks' first double-double of the season, registering a career-high 20 kills and adding 10 digs. Freshman Paige Lowe nearly clinched a double-double as she registered 38 assists and nine digs. Baucham and Marquez recorded double-digit kills with 13 and 10 apiece. Jordan Palmer and Daixa Andujo recorded career-highs in digs with 24 and 13, respectively.

Point 0, Lindsey Wilson 3 (17-25, 18-25, 20-25)

In Point's final match of the tournament, Lindsey Wilson toppled the Skyhawks 3-0.

Marquez and Abigail Hardwick led Point's offense with 10 and seven kills apiece. Lowe had 15 assists and six digs, Palmer had nine digs, and Andujo had seven digs.

Point will be back in action on Sept. 3, as they travel to face Coastal Georgia and Savannah State. The Skyhawks will open Appalachian Athletic Conference play at Reinhardt on Sept. 8.