CLINTON, S.C. – The Presbyterian College volleyball team rallied to force a fifth set but ultimately came up short against Radford on Senior Day, falling to the Highlanders 21-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-23 13-15 on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 8). Each set was close and came down to the end, but the Highlanders came out on top to give PC its fifth-straight loss. For the afternoon, there were a total of 15 ties and eight lead changes.
In the match, the Blue Hose tied a program record with 15 blocks against the Highlanders.
All three seniors had productive afternoons for the Blue Hose. Elyse Hutchinson recorded seven blocks to go along with eight kills and four service aces. Aliza Hart delivered a double-double for the Blue Hose, logging 21 assists and 16 digs. Sophia Del Valle pitched in as well with 12 digs.
Courtney Williams registered eight blocks for Presbyterian, while Brittney Daphnis recorded seven. Ashley Miller led PC offensively with 15 kills.
SET ONE – RADFORD 25, PC 21
- Radford came out strong to start the match, quickly building a 6-3 lead over the Blue Hose. A kill by Ashely Miller helped PC inch closer, but the Highlanders responded to take a 14-6 lead.
- PC trailed by as much as 8 but was able to get back within five behind back-to-back blocks from Courtney Williams and Brittney Daphnis. In the middle of the set, PC remained close, but Radford stayed in front.
- The Highlanders maintained their lead late in the set up 21-19. A kill from Julia Yurkovich got PC back within two down 22-20, but Radford finished the set strong. The Highlanders took the opening frame 25-21.
SET TWO – PC 25, RADFORD 23
- In the second set, PC got off to a better start, going up 5-2 early highlighted by a kill from Ava Smith. Kills from Smith, Yurkovich, and Hutchinson extended PC's early lead to 7-3.
- Radford quickly got back with three before another PC run helped the Blue Hose separate. Ava Smith stayed on fire for PC, and a service ace from Hutchinson gave Presbyterian an 18-10 lead.
- The Highlanders went on a run to cut the deficit to just 18-16 before PC showed its resiliency to get the lead back to five up 22-17.
- Radford made one last push, saving four set points to trail by just one down 24-23. With the set on the line, Hutchinson sealed the second set for PC, tying the match.
SET THREE – RADFORD 25, PC 20
- The Highlanders started fast again in set three, taking six of the set's first eight points. Down 10-5 early, PC battled to cut the lead to three after a kill from Miller.
- Radford took control of the set to follow, building a commanding 16-9 lead. Miller helped PC get back within three before another Highlander run put them up 22-16 late in the set.
- One more rally got PC back within three down 22-19, but Radford responded to finish the set 25-20. The Highlanders took a two-set to one lead over the Blue Hose.
SET FOUR – PC 25, RADFORD 23
- The fourth set was another nail-biter. PC jumped on the Highlanders out of the gates, building a 6-2 lead behind a block from Yurkovich and Hutchinson. The Highlanders got right back in it down one, but PC inched back ahead to go up 14-10 in the middle of the set.
- Miller and Hutchinson helped extend PC's advantage to 17-11 before a 5-0 Radford run got the Highlanders right back in the set.
- A service ace from Hutchinson put the Blue Hose up 21-17 late in the proceedings. However, Radford responded once again, coming back to tie the set at 23 apiece.
- With the set deadlocked at 23 and the match hanging in the balance, Presbyterian inched ahead on a service error. Ashley Miller followed with a kill on set point to send the match to a deciding fifth set.
SET FIVE – RADFORD 15, PC 13
- The fifth and final set once again came down to the end. Radford took the first two points, but both teams traded leads from one another throughout the deciding set.
- PC took a late 13-11 lead over the Highlanders after a service ace from Sophia Del Valle, but Radford followed with a 4-0 run to clinch the win over the Blue Hose. In the fifth set alone, there were nine ties and six lead changes.
NOTABLES
- Aliza Hart had a career day for the Blue Hose. She posted a career-high in digs with 16. She also had a season-high in assists with 21.
- Elyse Hutchinson logged seven blocks for PC, just one off her career-high of 8. She also posted a career-high in service aces with 4.
- Brittney Daphnis tied her career-high in blocks with seven against the Highlanders. This is the third time she has recorded seven blocks in a match.
- Courtney Williams also tied her career-high in blocks with eight against Radford. This is the fourth time she has recorded eight blocks in a match.
- Ashley Miller recorded her most kills since she had 22 against North Florida on Sept. 5.
- Aubrie Arnold led the Blue Hose in digs with 19.
- Sophia Del Valle logged a season-high in digs with 12.
UP NEXT
The Blue Hose will look to end a five-match losing skid in their final regular season match next week, taking on Charleston Southern on the road on Friday night (Nov. 14) at 6:00 pm.
