CLINTON, S.C. – The Presbyterian College volleyball team rallied from a two sets to one deficit to take down UNC Asheville on Friday night, clinching the win in a narrow fifth set 17-25, 25-23, 21-25, 25-17, 15-12 over the Bulldogs at the Templeton Center.
PC trailed 7-1 in the fourth set down two sets to one but battled, claiming the fourth to extend the match before completing the comeback in the fifth. Julia Yurkovich and Courtney Williams led PC offensively, registering 11 and 10 kills respectively.
Aubrie Arnold recorded a match-high 30 digs for the Blue Hose as well to help PC snap a four-match losing streak to the Bulldogs.
FROM HEAD COACH MADDIE MOSS
"What a win. I don't know what to say. The grit that they had, they just fought every single point as if it was the last point. We had a couple mishaps there in a couple of those sets where we started off really slow, and we just weren't playing disciplined volleyball. We weren't playing how we know how to play. Yet, we fought our way out of it, and we were able to continue fighting and continue fighting even when we didn't necessarily need to fight anymore. We kept building that momentum, and they just took care of business. It took longer than we would have liked, but they made it happen. They are just an incredible group, so I'm super happy with this one and excited for tomorrow."
SET ONE – UNC ASHEVILLE 25, PC 17
- The Bulldogs dominated the proceedings out of the gate, taking five out of the first six points of the match. The Blue Hose responded and cut the deficit to just one after a kill by Julia Yurkovich.
- UNC Asheville quickly took control of the set after PC's run, building a 13-7 lead to separate from the Blue Hose.
- The Bulldogs never led by less than five the rest of the set, cruising to take the opening frame 25-17 and grab a 1-0 lead over Presbyterian.
SET TWO – PC 25, UNC ASHEVILLE 23
- The two teams traded leads from one another to begin the second set. With the set deadlocked early at four, PC used kills from Elyse Hutchinson and Anisa Dorlouis to jump out in front with a 4-0 run.
- PC kept its foot on the gas in the middle of the set, extending the lead to 15-8 behind a service ace from Amaris Alvarez.
- The Blue Hose kept their advantage, but the Bulldogs began to chip away at the lead. A 20-16 lead for Presbyterian turned into just a one point lead late in the set.
- Narrowly ahead 23-22, a kill by Courtney Williams gave the Blue Hose a set point. The Bulldogs saved the first set point, but a service error ended the set, allowing PC to clinch the set and tie the match.
SET THREE – UNC ASHEVILLE 25, PC 21
- The Bulldogs grabbed control of the set in the beginning, taking four of the first five points of the set. While PC responded to take a 6-5 lead, UNC Asheville won four consecutive points to go ahead 9-6.
- PC showed its resiliency by tying the set at 10 before a 3-0 run by the Bulldogs gave the edge back to UNC Asheville. Shortly after, PC found a way to take the lead right back, using a 10-5 run to lead narrowly 20-18 late in the set.
- Trailing by just two, the Bulldogs dominated the rest of the set, only dropping one more point the rest of the way. UNC Asheville finished the set on a 7-1 run to claim the third 25-21 and grab a 2-1 lead.
SET FOUR – PC 25, UNC ASHEVILLE 17
- UNC Asheville jumped all over Presbyterian to start the fourth, quickly building a 7-1 lead over the Blue Hose.
- Ashley Miller helped PC respond immediately to get back into the match. The Blue won the next six points to tie the set up at seven.
- Both teams led by small margins to follow in the middle of the set. PC led by as much as four up 17-13, but the Bulldogs were able to cut the lead to just two down 18-16.
- Up just two, the Blue Hose dominated the rest of the frame. After a kill by the Bulldogs to cut the lead to 19-17, PC did not lose another point in the set. A kill from Yurkovich sealed the set to send the match to a fifth frame.
SET FIVE– PC 15, UNC ASHEVILLE 12
- The two teams were even with one another to begin the final frame. The set was tied at four apiece before UNC Asheville grabbed a narrow 6-4 advantage.
- PC battled all night and showed its resiliency again, taking the lead back from the Bulldogs to go ahead 10-8. UNC Asheville responded with a 4-0 lead, but the Bulldogs would not win another point in the match.
- Presbyterian won the final five points of the frame to take the set and the match, completing the comeback over the Bulldogs. Elyse Hutchinson clinched the win for the Blue Hose with a kill.
NOTABLES
- Anisa Dorlouis logged her 8th straight double-double and 17th overall of the season with 39 assists and 17 digs.
- Aubrie Arnold recorded the second most digs of her career, registering 30 forthe night.
- Celimar Hoyos logged a new-season high in digs, finishing with 17.
- Ashley Miller recorded her most kills since the Blue Hose faced Howard on Sept. 6, finishing with 12.
- PC registered a new-season high in digs as a team, logging 82 against the Bulldogs.
UP NEXT
- PC closes out the weekend at home on Saturday afternoon against USC Upstate at 2:00 pm at the Templeton Center for Community Day.
