WILSON, N.C. – Following a win on Friday night, the King University women's volleyball team stayed on the road to take on Barton College. The Tornado led early in each set on Saturday, but Barton came back each time to take the Conference Carolinas match 3-0.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Barton 3, King 0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-14)
LOCATION: Wilson Gymnasium; Wilson, N.C.
RECORDS: King 13-13, 8-7 Conference Carolinas; Barton 6-14, 5-8 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
- A Gracia Love kill, followed by three Claire Wilson aces and a block from Hailee Blankenship and Chloe Clayton gave King an early 6-1 lead.
- With the Tornado on a 6-0 run, Barton called for a timeout, and it was a timely break for the Bulldogs.
- Barton went on a 13-2 run out of the break, including 11 straight to take a 14-8 lead.
- The Bulldogs continued to extend their lead as King called for a timeout trailing 20-13.
- King tried to work their way back as the Tornado pulled within 22-20 on back-to-back kills from Blankenship and Kara Miller.
- However, the Bulldogs scored the final three points to take the opening set 25-20.
Second Set
- King again grabbed an early lead, taking a 3-1 advantage following a Clayton ace and 4-2 lead following a Miller kill.
- However, the Bulldogs came back and took a 9-6 lead with a 7-2 run.
- The teams traded blows until the Bulldogs took an 18-13 advantage.
- A Miller kill then sparked a 4-0 Tornado run. Gabri Puertas had an ace and Clayton came up with a kill on the run that pulled King within 18-17.
- That was as close as the Tornado would get, however, as Barton closed the 25-20 win with a 7-3 run.
Third Set
- The Tornado jumped ahead early again, taking a 7-3 lead following a Lydia Buchanan ace that forced a Barton timeout.
- King later led 10-4 following an Abigale Jayne kill, but Barton responded by scoring six straight points to even the set at 10.
- Barton followed with a 6-1 spurt to take a 16-12 lead before scoring seven straight points to put the set out of reach at 23-13.
- The Bulldogs then scored the final two points to take the set 25-14 and the match 3-0.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Blankenship led King with 10 kills and six digs.
- Miller added eight kills while Kylie Love posted 13 assists and six digs.
- Puertas led the back row with nine digs.
FOR THE FOES
- Allison Gambill led the Bulldogs with 17 kills and nine digs.
- Lily Haaga followed with 12 kills while Caroline Schoonover added nine kills and five digs.
- Madison Greene posted 26 assists while Brooke Clute registered 13 digs.
UP NEXT
- The Tornado return home to take on Converse University at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday night.
- Barton hosts Belmont Abbey College on Tuesday night.
