Volleyball sweeps past the Barons in their SSAC Home Opener
WEST POINT, Ga. (Sept. 8, 2023) - The Point University Volleyball team returned to the court for their home opener in Southern States Athletic Conference play against Brewton-Parker College, where the Skyhawks breezed past the Barons in a 3-0 sweep.
Set One (25-15, Win)
The first set started with the Skyhawks getting a 5-2 run as Sameily Marquez, Jadakate Judkins and Aaliyah Lobendahn had the West Point Gymnasium rocking with their early kills. The early momentum continued with Point's offense being well-balanced as Lexi Arter added a service ace, followed by Aaliyah Lobendahn firing with two back-to-back kills. With the Skyhawks being ahead 16-9, Jadakate Judkins and Sameily Marquez picked up where they left off by extending the Skyhawks' lead, leading to the Barons calling a timeout to regroup. Tianna Kynard's debut in the West Point gymnasium did not go unnoticed as she added a block, followed by the kill to end the set with a final score of 25-15.
Set Two (25-21, Win)
Point took their momentum into set two by going a 7-0 run, which helped the Skyhawks erase the early lead from the Barons. Sameily Marquez's two kills, followed by the block by Tianna Kynard and Paige Lowe, continued to push the Skyhawks further ahead. Jordan Palmer's service ace followed the kill from Tianna Kynard, who helped Point make a big run. The Barons picked up some steam by going on a 10-2 run before Aalyiah Lobendahn halted Brewton-Parker with a kill to lead 24-20. The Skyhawks avoided the late comeback from Brewton-Parker to take set two 25-21.
Set Three (25-12, Win)
The Skyhawks capitalized on the errors from Brewton-Parker by elevating their play for the early 9-5 lead as Sameily Marquez, Tianna Kynard, and Aaliyah Lobendahn contributed to the scores. Ava Clay and Paige Lowe added to the fiery attack from Point by tacking on two extra points. Claire Cordell continued to climb her name in the record books as she added two straight service aces to move her to 28 career service aces in the top 10 in school history. Aaliyah Lobendahn, Ava Clay, and Tianna Kynard followed with consistent kills for the Skyhawks. The attack error from the Barons helped Point take the sweep in their first game in Southern States Athletic Conference play.
In the box
Aaliyah Lobendahn led with 11 kills, followed by Sameily Marquez adding nine. Paige Lowe and Tianna Kynard contributed with seven, and Claire Cordell had six kills. Paige Lowe added 34 assists and seven digs on the evening. Claire Cordell led with 12 digs for the Skyhawks.
Up Next
The SSAC play will continue as Point returns to the West Point Park Gymnasium for a home matchup against Middle Georgia State University starting at 1:00 P.M.
