College of Charleston
Delaware
Defense Leads the Way as Volleyball Downs Delaware
11/1/2014 3:57:00 AM | Volleyball
CHARLESTON, S.C. – College of Charleston volleyball came from a set down to defeat the Blue Hens of Delaware University on Friday night, 3-2 (23-25, 25-23, 21-25, 25-18, 15-11) at the Bob Carpenter Center.
The best defensive team in the conference, the Cougars overcame a difficult night offensively (.177 team hitting percentage) by racking up 101 digs and claiming nine blocks against the Blue Hens. Senior libero Andi Zbojniewicz had a particularly stellar night along the back row, digging up 38 balls (7.6 /set) – the third highest single match total in program history. The Cougars also benefited from a big showing by senior Catey Warren, who notched a career-high five blocks.
The Cougars' offensive firepower came from junior Melissa Morello, who put away a career high 23 kills (.268) and senior right side Sloane White, who again hit above .300 en route to another 16 put-aways. Cara Howley also reached double figures with 11 kills of her own while setters Kallie McKown and Mackenzie Cooler both notched double-doubles, dishing out 30 and 27 assists, respectively.
After dropping the opening set 25-23, the Cougars returned the favor in the second frame, jumping out to an 11-5 lead following a kill from Howley. The Blue Hens crept back in to the game, taking a 19-18 lead, but after a timeout from head coach Jason Kepner, the Cougars came back reinvigorated to force a set point after a kill from White. A Delaware attack error on the ensuing sequence then gave the Cougars the set, 25-23.
After the Blue Hens again took a one set advantage with a 25-21 Game 3 victory, the Cougars came out firing in the fourth frame, taking a 9-2 lead courtesy of two big kills from junior Grace Rebarchak. After Delaware cut the lead to two at 18-16, another productive timeout from Kepner saw the Cougars rattle off seven of the next nine points to force a deciding fifth frame.
The decider was tight throughout as both teams pressed for the win. Tied at 4-4, the Cougars managed to take a brief 8-5 advantage following two kills from Rebarchak but Delaware's Chandler Bryant would again tie up the match at 10-10. The College responded as kills from White and Warren put the Cougars on the precipice before back to back Delaware attack errors gave the Cougars the set and the match, 15-11.
Next up for CofC is a Sunday afternoon road clash with the Tigers of Towson University. Sunday's winner will sit alone in second place in the conference standings.
CONNECTING WITH THE COUGARS
For all of the latest news and information on Cougar volleyball, you can follow the program @CofCVolleyball and @CofCSports or follow the team on Facebook here
