CHARLESTON, S.C. --- Three Cougars reached double figures in kills and four players recorded at least 10 digs as the College of Charleston volleyball team rallied from a 2-1 deficit to edge UNCW in a five-set nail-biter on Saturday afternoon in Colonial Athletic Association play at TD Arena.
Charleston (15-11, 8-7 CAA) won the match by scores of 25-15, 20-25, 17-25, 25-22 and 16-14 to move into a tie for third in the CAA standings alongside Northeastern. The Cougars finished the afternoon with 56 kills, 92 digs and seven blocks while setting a five-set, single-match record with 12 service aces. UNCW (4-22, 3-12 CAA) recorded 60 kills, 92 digs and 10.5 blocks while edging the Cougars in hitting percentage, .195 to .158.
Critical Point
With the score knotted at 21-21 in the fourth set,
Gabi Bailey unloaded for a clutch kill to spark the Cougars on a 4-1 run to claim the frame and force a decisive fifth stanza.
Key Cougars
- Sophomore Sammy Campion made a statement in her return from injury equaling her season-high with six service aces – including five in the opening frame – while tying her own five-set, single-match program record.
- Lexi Wierzbicki led the Cougars with 14 kills to go along with a career-high six digs.
- Bailey turned in her team-leading ninth double-double with 13 kills and 13 digs.
- Freshman Emma Appleman accounted for a double-double of her own with 22 assists and a career-best 17 digs.
- Claire Campbell slammed down 11 kills while hitting .409 and adding three blocks.
Game Notes
- The Cougars scored 10 of their 25 points in the opening stanza with Campion standing behind the service line.
- Saturday's 12-ace performance marks the sixth time this season the Cougars have recorded at least 10 aces and the 12th occasion with eight or more aces.
- Campion chipped in 13 digs and stepped in at libero for the final two sets.
- Senior Molly Russell contributed seven kills and four blocks while hitting .294.
- Freshman Tynley Smeltzer paced the Cougars with 20 digs to go along with two aces.
- Fellow rookie Jasmin Goei nearly recorded a double-double with 23 assists, nine digs and two aces.
Up Next
The Cougars will close out the regular season on Sunday afternoon with the series finale against UNCW at 2:00 p.m. Charleston will honor its 2021 senior class prior to Sunday's first serve.
