College of Charleston
Wake Forest
Howley Shines as Volleyball Beats Wake Forest in Five Sets
9/13/2014 3:35:00 AM | Volleyball
CHARLESTON, S.C. – College of Charleston volleyball put in their best display of the season on Friday night in a thrilling, five set, come from behind victory over Wake Forest, 3-2 (31-29, 27-29, 23-25, 25-21, 15-13) at TD Arena.
Senior right-side hitter Cara Howley lead the way for the Cougars with a career-high 26 kills (.429), while freshman Krissy Mummey showed glimpses of her tremendous potential, grabbing 12 blocks. Also strong defensively, Charleston held the Demon Deacons to a .216 team hitting percentage while four Cougars tallied double-digit digs.
Playing in front of an energetic home crowd, the Cougars looked sharp early as a kill from junior team captain Melissa Morello gave The College a 3-2 lead. The Demon Deacons soon settled in to the game, however, going up by as many as six points midway through the opening frame. Still down six at 19-13, the Cougars sprung in to action as Cara Howley scored four of the next six points to bring The College level at 19-19. The two teams then took turns trading points until a ball handling error from the Demon Deacons gave the Cougars an opening at 30-29. An attack error from Wake Forest outside hitter Jazmen Russell on the next play then handed the Cougars the game on win, 31-29.
The visitors bounced back in game two, taking a quick 8-4 advantage through the improved play of Russell and Kylie Long. After back and forth action, CofC eventually fought their way in to the game, earning two set points at 26-25 and 27-26. Wake held tough though, and after a Cougar attack error gave the Demon Deacons a set point of their own, Russell took advantage – hitting past the Cougar block to even the score.
After Wake rode an early 5-0 lead to a 25-23 third set victory, the Cougars –with their backs to wall – put in a great fourth game effort, fighting off an early three point deficit to take charge at 20-16. The result was never in doubt from there as a Morello and Howley combined for the next five points to seal the game, 25-21, and send the match to a fifth frame.
With the crowd on their feet throughout, the fifth set featured high-level play from both sides – with no team leading by more than two points throughout. Early kills from Morello, Mummey and Howley kept the Cougars level at 4-4 before freshman setter Mackenzie Cooler set up Howley twice more to give CofC a one point advantage midway through. After falling behind 10-8, it was Morello and Mummey again who answered back, tying the fifth at 10 apiece. With the score still tied at 13, a Demon Deacon attack error gave the Cougars a chance to win the match. With the result hanging in the balance, Cooler then set a determined Morello, who made it count, hammering home the winner.
LOOKING AHEAD TO TOMORROW'S DOUBLE HEADER:
For the third time this season, the Cougars face a Saturday double-header tomorrow in the final day of the CofC Classic. Waiting for the Cougars on John Kresse Court will be Stetson (1:00 p.m.) and Cal State Fullerton (7:00 p.m.). In the early match on Friday, the Titans defeated the Hatters in four sets, 3-1 (27-25, 25-17, 13-25, 25-18)
Here is a quick look at tomorrow's opposition.
Stetson (1:00 p.m.)
Location: Deland, Fla.
Conference: Atlantic Sun
2014 Record: 5-2
2013 Record: 18-16 (9-9 A-Sun)
Series History vs. CofC: CofC leads series 11-2
Last Meeting: CofC def. Stetson 3-0 on 9/6/08
Players to Watch: McKenna Foster (3.09 k/set) & Alexa Drost (3.65 digs/set)
2014 Preseason Conference Poll Placement: 6th/10
Cal State Fullerton (7:00 p.m.)
Location: Fullerton, Calif.
Conference: Big West
2014 Record: 5-3
2013 Record: 11-17 (4-12 Big West)
Series History vs. CofC: CSF leads series 1-0
Last Meeting: CSF def. CofC 3-1 on 9/2/06
Players to Watch: Niki Withers (4.00 k/set) & McKenna Painton (4.52 digs/set)
2014 Preseason Conference Poll Placement: 8th/9
CONNECTING WITH THE COUGARS
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