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Photo taken by Desean Bullock
Photo taken by Desean Bullock
Posted: Nov 12, 2023

Point Volleyball’s season ends at the SSAC Tournament

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Nov. 12, 2023) - The Point University Volleyball team began postseason play at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex in Montgomery, Alabama on November 9 where the Skyhawks 1-1 on Day 1 of the Tournament and would be eliminated on Day two against the University of Mobile. 

Day One vs. Faulkner and Blue Mountain (3-0 vs. FLK, Win) (3-0 vs. BMCU, Loss) 

Point began the tournament in Pool Play as the #4 Seed out of eight teams and took on the #8 seeded Faulkner University in their first match. Sameily Marquez and Aaliyah Lobendahn led offensively as Lobendahn added 13 kills and Marquez had 11. Jadakate Judkins and Claire Cordell were also key components to the attacking frenzy that the Skyhawks had against Faulkner as both players each had seven kills. Paige Lowe continued to prove why her impact on the team as a setter was no fluke in the SSAC as she added 34 assists, seven digs, and three kills. Faulkner had an opportunity to avoid a sweep as the second set saw Faulkner leading 23-20 before Sameily Marquez rallied three consecutive kills to tie it at 23. Two errors from Faulkner would push the Skyhawks past the Eagles in that set by two points which was closest Faulkner was to taking a set away from Point. The Skyhawks sparked two runs in the third set and Jadakate Judkins iced the match with a kill for the sweep. Point's second match against the #1 seeded Blue Mountain Christian University saw the Toppers move past the Skyhawks for the sweep and out-dueled Point offensively with 43 kills to 20.  

Day Two vs. University of Mobile (3-1, Loss) 

Day two set the stage for a #4 vs. #5 matchup in the tournament where the Skyhawks took on the University of Mobile Rams where the Skyhawks fell to Mobile in four sets. The first set saw both teams take advantage of each team's mistakes but the late rallies by the Rams would push Mobile past the Skyhawks to lead 1-0. The second set was duplicated with both teams making runs as Point looked to wipe the momentum away from Mobile. After two attack errors from the Rams, Mobile ended the set on a 5-1 run to lead two sets. Point came into the third set with every intention to win as kills from Claire Cordell and Sameily Marquez, a service ace from Paige Lowe, and errors from the Rams helped Point start off with a 6-3 lead. Mobile fired back with their offense by wiping the lead away from the Skyhawks to lead 10-7. A 9-1 run from the Skyhawks saw errors from the Rams and Kills from Tianna Kynard, Sameily, Aaliyah Lobendahn, and a service ace from Jordan Palmer bring Point's lead to 19-15. As Mobile stormed to regain the lead, Point's momentum would be too much for the Rams as the Skyhawks took set three. Set four saw both teams go neck and neck throughout the set as each fan in attendance stood watching the hard-fought action with anticipation. As Point continued to try to fight their way through the match, Mobile would get the upper hand and win in four sets. 

Season Highlights 

Point University Volleyball took a step in the upward direction by transitioning to the Southern States Athletic Conference and making strides each time they stepped on the court. The Skyhawks were projected at #8 in preseason rankings and finished at #4 at the end of the season. Point finished with an overall record of 12-12 (10-6 SSAC) Volleyball finished with five SSAC Player of the Week Honors (Paige Lowe 2X, Jadakate Judkins, Sameily Marquez, and Jordan Palmer), Three All-Conference players (Paige Lowe, 1st Team, Jordan Palmer, 2nd Team, Sameily Marquez, 2nd Team), and nine All-Academic student-athletes (Lexi Arter, Ava Clay, Claire Cordell, Kristina Faison, Caraline Jackson, Aaliyah Lobendahn, Jordan Palmer, and Emma Parker). The Skyhawks also added new program record holders with Paige Lowe surpassing 1,000 assists and Jordan Palmer surpassing 1,000 digs. Jadkate Judkins tied a single-match record with eight assisted blocks against UT Southern. Point Volleyball will now start preparing for the 2024 season and continue to build in the right direction.