CLINTON, S.C. – The Presbyterian College volleyball team (7-8, 1-0 Big South) dropped the first 11 points of the match and the opening set to Charleston Southern but did not waiver, taking down the Buccaneers in four sets 19-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-19 to start conference play victorious on Friday evening (Sept. 25) at the Templeton Center.
This is the first time that Presbyterian has won its Big South opener since the 2023 season.
The Blue Hose were dominant defensively at the net, finishing with a season-high 14 blocks. Ashley Dienes led PC with a career-high seven blocks, while Meredith Reisman pitched in six.
Julia Yurkovich delivered a strong performance for the Blue Hose, coming away with 13 kills and four blocks. Emma McHatten and Anisa Dorlouis both posted double-doubles as well for Presbyterian.
QUOTE FROM HEAD COACH MADDIE MOSS
"What a great way to kickstart conference play. I'm beyond proud of how the team came together and remained consistent and steady. We cannot wait to get out there and compete next weekend!"
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET ONE – CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 25, PC 19
- Charleston Southern had its way to begin the evening in Clinton, claiming the first 11 points of the match. Trailing 12-1, the Blue Hose quickly fought their way back in it, using a 7-1 run to close the gap to five.
- Presbyterian continued to claw its way back, cutting the Buccaneer lead to just two down 19-17 after a kill by Meredith Reisman.
- Charleston Southern prevailed in the end to start the night, finishing the set on a 6-2 run to take the early lead.
SET TWO – PC 25, CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 18
- The Buccaneers grabbed an early lead in set two before the Blue Hose surged in front. A kill and a block by Reisman put PC ahead 7-5.
- Julia Yurkovich heated up for Presbyterian offensively in the middle of the set, guiding the Blue Hose to a five-point advantage up 16-11.
- Charleston Southern got within three late in the set down 20-17, but the Blue Hose finished strong. Clutch kills by Courtney WIlliams and Anisa Dorlouis evened the match for PC.
SET THREE – PC 25, CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 22
- Set three was a back-and-forth affair, featuring 12 ties and nine total lead changes. The Buccaneers won four of the first five points of the set, but the Blue Hose quickly responded to take the lead.
- Following the early Charleston Southern lead, neither team led by more than two until the Buccaneers went ahead 19-16 late in the frame.
- Down by three, Presbyterian rallied with a pivotal run to take the lead in the match. Kills by Emma McHatten and Yurkovich helped PC close the frame on a 9-3 run, securing the third set.
SET FOUR – PC 25, CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 19
- Presbyterian kept the momentum going in the fourth set, going ahead 6-4 after another kill by Yurkovich. Multiple blocks by Ashley Dienes helped the Blue Hose stay in front, narrowly holding a 15-13 advantage.
- PC began to separate from Charleston Southern late in the set, as the Blue Hose won five straight points to go up 20-13.
- Presbyterian fended off one more Buccaneer rally at the end, coming through 25-19 in the fourth set to seal the match. Back-to-back kills from Williams and Yurkovich closed out the night.
NOTABLES
- Presbyterian improves to 22-18 in PC's DI era against Charleston Southern.
- PC won its Big South opener for the first time since 2023, where the Blue Hose also defeated Charleston Southern.
- Ashley Dienes logged a career-high seven blocks, besting her previous high of two.
- Anisa Dorlouis recorded her 10th double-double of the season, registering 38 assists and 14 digs.
- Emma McHatten logged her fourth double-double of the year, finishing with 13 kills and 13 assists.
- Three Blue Hose players recorded at least 10 kills: Julia Yurkovich (13), McHatten (13), and Courtney Williams (11).
- Meredith Reisman registered six blocks. She has recorded at least five blocks in six matches this season.
- As a team, PC recorded a season-high 14 blocks. Presbyterian's previous best in 2026 was 13 against Tennessee Tech.
UP NEXT
Presbyterian will hit the road next weekend, facing Gardner-Webb on Friday (Oct. 2) and Winthrop on Saturday (Oct. 3).
