CLINTON, S.C. – The Presbyterian College volleyball team picked up its first conference win of the season on Friday night, sweeping Gardner-Webb 3-0 at the Templeton Center.
Julia Yurkovich led the way offensively for the Blue Hose, logging a match-high 15 kills to help PC pick up its first home victory of the season. Anisa Dorlouis contributed a match-high 37 assists to go along with 12 digs. Brittney Daphnis and Courtney Williams led the Blue Hose defensively, registering a combined 11 blocks.
In just its second home match of the season, PC ended a five match-losing streak and will look to win its second straight on Saturday at the Templeton Center.
FROM HEAD COACH MADDIE MOSS
"The team did awesome. I'm really proud of them. They came out aggressive just like we had planned. They didn't let up, which is something that we've been really struggling with in crucial moments. And they were able to fight through and push and execute at the end and just continue pushing pressure on the other team, which I am incredibly proud of them for. They are such fighters, and they needed this win. They wanted it so bad, and they went out and they got it and they took it for themselves. I'm super proud of this team and the fight that they exhibited today."
SET ONE – PC 28, GARDNER-WEBB 26
- In a dramatic, narrow first set, the Runnin' Bulldogs started the match strong, quickly jumping out to a 5-2 lead. Kills from Elyse Hutchinson and Brittney Daphnis got the Blue Hose going offensively, cutting the early Gardner-Webb lead to two.
- Gardner-Webb took a 12-8 lead to force a PC timeout, but the Blue Hose responded with four straight points to tie the set and force a Bulldog timeout. Following the timeout, PC took the lead before the two teams began to go back-and-forth.
- Gardner-Webb proceeded to grab the lead, but the Blue Hose stayed tight. After taking a 23-20 lead late in the set, Presbyterian showed its resiliency, rallying to take three straight points to tie the set back up at 23.
- The Runnin' Bulldogs took the next point and had two set points, but PC fought hard to save both. Gardner-Webb saved a set point of its own before PC finally closed out the set to grab a dramatic opening frame 28-26.
SET TWO – PC 25, GARDNER-WEBB 18
- The Running' Bulldogs started fast again in the second set, winning three straight points to open the second set proceedings. Like the first set, the Blue Hose responded quickly after to take the lead back, winning five out of the next six points. Kills from Julia Yurkovich and Brittney Daphnis later on allowed PC to extend the lead to 14-8.
- Gardner-Webb rallied to cut the lead to one, winning six of seven points to force a PC timeout. After the timeout, PC took control and dominated the rest of the set. Multiple blocks by Courtney Williams helped the Blue Hose win five straight points and extend the lead to 20-14.
- Yurkovich and Williams finished the set strong for the Blue Hose, helping PC win the second set 25-18 and take a 2-0 lead over Gardner-Webb.
SET THREE – PC 25, GARDNER-WEBB 21
- Despite trailing early for the third straight set, the Blue Hose surged ahead 9-6 after three straight kills from Julia Yurkovich. PC led by as much as five before a Gardner-Webb rally tied the set up at 12, forcing a Blue Hose timeout.
- After the timeout, Presbyterian once again showed its resiliency, winning three straight points to take a 15-12 lead to force a Runnin' Bulldog timeout.
- PC continued to lead following the timeout, using kills from Brittney Daphnis and Elyse Hutchinson to extend the lead to 21-16. Three straight points from Gardner-Webb followed to cut the lead, but a service error gave the momentum back to the Blue Hose.
- Gardner-Webb put up one more rally to cut the deficit before Presbyterian closed out the match on a Daphnis kill, winning the third set 25-21 to sweep the Runnin' Bulldogs 3-0.
NOTABLES
- Head coach Maddie Moss picked up her first career conference win as coach of the Blue Hose. She also picked up her first career victory at home.
- The Blue Hose defeated Gardner-Webb for the third straight time. PC has downed the Runnin' Bulldogs in Clinton eight consecutive times. The Blue Hose now lead the all-time series 14-5.
- Anisa Dorlouis recorded her 15th double-double of the season against the Runnin' Bulldogs with 37 assists and 12 digs. She has now logged a double-double in 15 of PC's 18 total contests.
- Courtney Williams recorded six blocks for the Blue Hose for the second straight match.
- Presbyterian recorded its highest hitting percentage of the season as a team, coming in at .292 percent for the match.
- Aubrie Arnold led the team in digs, logging 17 on the night against Gardner-Webb.
UP NEXT
- PC finishes the weekend at home on Saturday evening against Winthrop at 6:00 pm at the Templeton Center for Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day.
