DECATUR, Ga. – In their final game of 2015, the Mount Mary University volleyball team lost to Salem College 3-1 today on the campus of Agnes Scott. The loss for MMU gives them an overall record of 3-18 and will give the Spirits a spot in the Great South Atlantic Conference post season tournament semi-finals.
The first two sets swayed in favor of the Spirits. As MMU was negative in hitting percentage for the first two frames, it gave Salem a 25-19 and 25-15 wins in those sets.
The Blue Angels came back in the third set with determination as they jumped out in front 12-4. When the Spirits came fighting back, the teams found themselves at a 25-25 tie. An outstanding last ditch effort strike by Payton Hintz (So./Almond, Wis.) led to the momentum shifting 26-25 kill. The Blue Angels held on in the third forcing another set.
MMU jumped ahead of the quickly in the fourth set taking an 8-3 lead in the fourth. Salem battled back and an 11-9 lead of which they would not surrender for the rest of the evening. The Blue Angels finished the fourth with their most accurate set of the night with a .171 hitting percentage, but fell short 25-20.
Leading the attack for MMU was again a combo of Hintz and Lauren Harris (Fr./Sheridan, Wis.) who each finished with 10 kills. Hintz also added 12 assists and 12 digs for a triple-double. Teammate Julia Terasa (Jr./Waukesha, Wis.) lead the team with 17 assists.
The Spirits Kylie Taffer finished the match with a high of 18 kills and a .327 hitting percentage to boot. Brandy Bednorz led the game with 30 assists and also an accurate .300 hitting percentage.
"Despite the ladies being tired and it taking us a while to warm up, we found our groove several times. Unfortunately it was either too late or still just not enough to finish a couple of the sets," said Head Coach Kelsey Peterson.
"Something we'll have to work on in the offseason and going into next year is playing consistently at a higher level. I saw more and more of the higher level play we are capable of throughout the season, just need to string it together for multiple sets."
The 3-1 loss for the Blue Angels may end their run to the tournament, but the improvements made throughout the season have fans and coaches feeling positive for the future of MMU volleyball.
"I think Nicole [Weggen] and Kalyn [Jarrett] really hustled and picked up some great digs and saves. Katy [Carlson] came in pretty clutch with some aggressive serves when Salem was at set point in two different sets." Coach Peterson went on about her team's effort, "At the net, Rachel [Barker] had some momentum changing blocks and Lauren [Harris] had some really smart kills. I'm really proud of ALL the ladies and how they've improved and turned into a really cohesive unit. This is a group that will stick together, and can't wait to see how they grow going into next year!"
The Blue Angels will wait for the final results of the first round to find out if they will compete in the consolation game Sat. Nov. 7 on the campus of Agnes Scott. Stay tuned to mtmaryathletics.com for any and all updates concerning MMU volleyball.
