TIGERVILLE, S.C. – The King University women's volleyball team forced a fifth set against North Greenville University, but were unable to topple the league-leading Crusaders, falling 3-2.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: North Greenville 3, King 2 (23-25, 25-21, 16-25, 25-19, 15-10)
LOCATION: Hayes Gymnasium; Tigerville, S.C.
RECORDS: King 6-11, 3-5 Conference Carolinas; North Greenville 18-4, 10-1 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
- After the score was tied at two, the Tornado scored four straight points, three of which came on consecutive aces by Hailee Blankenship, putting King in front 6-2.
- The Crusaders got back to within 7-6, but a 4-0 Tornado scoring run put them back in front, 11-6, forcing a North Greenville timeout.
- Coming out of the timeout, North Greenville scored a pair of points before Abigail Belcher picked up a kill, making the score 12-8 in favor of the Tornado.
- The Tornado would eventually take a 16-10 lead off a block by Chloe Clayton and Abigale Jayne, forcing the Crusaders to take their second timeout.
- After the King lead reached 22-16, the Crusaders went on a 7-1 run, tying the set at 23 before Blankenship made it 24-23 with another kill, before ending the set moments later with King winning 25-23.
Second Set
- North Greenville took the first four points, but the Tornado were able to fight back to within 7-6.
- The Crusaders worked their way to a 14-9 lead before the Tornado scored three in a row, pulling to within 14-12.
- That was the start of what would turn out to be a 6-0 Tornado run, which saw them take a 15-14 advantage.
- After trading the lead, North Greenville scored four in a row, taking a 21-17 lead.
- King got to within 23-21, but the Crusaders scored the final two points, taking the set 25-21.
Third Set
- The Crusaders took an early lead, but the Tornado went on a 3-0 scoring run to take a slim 6-4 lead.
- King would go on a 9-1 scoring run, opening up a 17-10 lead. Included during that run was highlighted by a pair of Blankenship kills.
- The Tornado quickly got the serve back on a Blankenship kill, then scored a couple more points to take a 20-11 lead.
- After the Crusaders rallied to get to within 20-15, the Tornado scored five of the final six points, with Jayne ending the set with a kill to win 25-16, going ahead 2-1 in the match.
Fourth Set
- King took an early 6-4 lead, but the Crusaders would score the next seven points to go ahead 11-6.
- The NGU lead got to 13-8 before the Tornado started their rally, scoring three in a row to pull to within 13-11.
- The Crusaders continued to hold a narrow lead, pulling ahead 18-14.
- King then scored the next three points, getting to within 17-16 and forcing a North Greenville timeout.
- Coming out of the break, the Crusaders scored four straight points, taking a 22-17 lead as the Tornado called a timeout.
- The Crusaders would score three of the final five points, winning the set 25-19 and evening the match at two.
Fifth Set
- NGU took an early 4-2 lead, eventually stretching it to 7-4.
- A 3-1 Tornado scoring run brought them to within 7-6 before tying the set at 8 on the strength of a 4-1 streak.
- After the Crusaders called timeout, they would score the next three points, pulling in front 11-9.
- King was able to get to within 11-10, but NGU would score the final four points, winning the set 15-10.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Blankenship led the way with 20 kills and 15 digs for the Tornado, along with four service aces.
- Katie Harless handed out 46 assists, while collecting nine digs.
- Gabri Puertas had a team-high 17 digs, while Jayne had eight block assists.
FOR THE FOES
- Abigail Durham led the North Greenville attack, recording 22 kills and 15 digs, along with five block assists.
- Klayton Mathis had 23 digs.
- Ashlyn Conner handed out 56 assists, while recording 10 digs and a pair of service aces.
UP NEXT
- The Tornado will play at Southern Wesleyan University Saturday afternoon, with first serve scheduled for 2 p.m.
- North Greenville will host the University of Mount Olive Saturday.
