BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Presbyterian College volleyball team (7-9, 1-1 Big South) dropped its first match of Big South action on Friday night (Oct. 2), suffering a three-set 26-24, 25-23, 25-16 defeat to Gardner-Webb at Paul Porter Arena.
Courtney Williams led Presbyterian with eight kills, while Anisa Dorlouis and Emma McHatten added seven apiece. Meredith Reisman powered the Blue Hose at the net, finishing with three blocks.
Defensively, Celimar Hoyos led PC with 14 digs. Dorlouis and Amaris Alvarez each contributed eight.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET ONE – GARDNER-WEBB 26, PC 24
- In a first set that featured eight ties and three lead changes, Gardner-Webb inched ahead early, going ahead 10-6.
- The Blue Hose trailed by as much as five before PC started to chip away. Two service aces by Amaris Alvarez helped Presbyterian even the frame at 15 apiece. Both teams stayed within striking distance late in the set, as a kill by Emma McHatten tied the set once again at 20.
- The Runnin' Bulldogs surged ahead 24-22 to create two set point chances, but Presbyterian battled to fend off both. With the set even at 24, Gardner-Webb claimed the final two points to grab a nailbiting opening set.
SET TWO – GARDNER-WEBB 25, PC 23
- Just like the opening frame, the second set came down to the end. The Runnin' Bulldogs had the edge early, taking a 10-6 lead. Kills from Courtney Williams and Meredith Reisman helped Presbyterian respond, tying the frame at 14.
- A block by McHatten and Reisman put PC ahead late in the set, as the Blue Hose claimed a two-point 21-19 advantage.
- Gardner-Webb had the answer down the stretch, finishing the set on a 6-2 run to go up 2-0 in the match. The second set finished with 15 ties and eight total lead changes.
SET THREE – GARDNER-WEBB 25, PC 16
- Presbyterian got off to a quick start in the third, building a 4-1 lead behind a block by Reisman and Williams.
- However, the early advantage did not last, as the Runnin' Bulldogs used a 13-4 run to go ahead 14-8.
- Another block by Reisman and Williams helped PC get within three, but the Blue Hose could not get any closer. The Runnin' Bulldogs separated late in the set, closing out the night with a 3-0 victory.
NOTABLES
- Courtney Williams led the way for Presbyterian with eight kills. Anisa Dorlouis and Emma McHatten finished with seven apiece.
- Dorlouis powered the Blue Hose with 18 assists.
- Celimar Hoyos finished one assist shy of a double-double, coming away with 14 digs and nine assists.
- Meredith Reisman finished with three blocks to lead Presbyterian.
- Xalia King made her collegiate debut for the Blue Hose.
UP NEXT
Presbyterian finishes the weekend at Winthrop on Saturday (Oct. 3) at 4:00 p.m. on ESPN+.
