CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The King University women's volleyball team closed the Lee University Invitational with a come-from-behind win over Kentucky State University. The Tornado topped the Thorobreds 3-1 behind three double-doubles.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: King 3, Kentucky State 1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-23)
LOCATION: Paul Dana Walker Arena; Cleveland, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 4-5; Kentucky State 5-6
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
- Kentucky State jumped ahead 8-3 in the early going and maintained that lead throughout the opening set.
- The Tornado tried to make a late run, pulling within 22-20 in a Brittney Ramsey kill, but the Thorobreds scored three of the final four points to take the set 25-21.
Second Set
- Abigale Jayne and Hailee Blankenship registered two kills each, giving King a 4-0 lead.
- Following two Thorobred points, King rolled off six straight to take a 10-2 lead.
- The spurt was capped by a Paula La Mendola ace and block from Abigail Belcher and Zephanie Snyder.
- Another block from Belcher and Allie Zimmerman gave the Tornado a 15-6 lead.
- Five straight points from Kentucky State made the score 20-15 before a Julie Ward kill.
- The Thorobreds continued to fight back, but Blankenship gave King the 25-21 victory with a kill.
Third Set
- King scored the first three points and seven of the first eight to take a 7-1 lead. Ramsey, Snyder and Harless registered kills on the spurt.
- However, Kentucky State scored eight straight points to take a 14-13 lead before a Ward kill.
- Ward later started a 4-0 run with a kill as a pair of Harless aces gave King an 18-16 lead.
- A Ward kill and ace gave the Tornado a 22-17 lead before Ward gave King the 25-20 win with a kill.
Fourth Set
- The Thorobreds grabbed the lead early and extended the advantage to 12-5 before the Tornado started to chip away.
- Blankenship capped a 5-1 run with a kill that evened the score at 17.
- King then scored three straight as a Belcher kill put the Tornado ahead 20-18.
- The score was even again at 22 before King scored three of the final four points.
- Ward came up with an ace and a kill to give King the 25-23 victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Ward led the Tornado with 13 kills, 10 digs and three aces.
- Blankenship followed with 10 kills and 12 digs while Snyder chipped in with eight kills.
- Harless handed out 24 assists and added 15 digs.
- Claire Wilson led the defense with 16 digs.
FOR THE FOES
- Robin Poole led Kentucky State with 16 kills and 12 digs.
- Shaska Davis followed with 13 kills and 10 digs.
- Kayara Brooks handed out 31 assists and added 14 digs.
- Stasha Adams posted 14 digs.
UP NEXT
- King returns home to take on regional rival Lincoln Memorial University at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday night.
- Kentucky State takes on Lee University on Saturday afternoon and Fort Valley State University on Friday evening.
