DANVILLE, Ky. – No. 5 Centre volleyball, fresh off an emotional win over no. 16 Trinity on Friday night, followed that up with a doubleheader sweep on Homecoming Saturday, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in a marathon 3-2 win over Southwestern before knocking off no. 10 Berry in straight sets, completing regular season series sweeps against both teams.
Game 1: Centre 3, Southwestern 2
- Centre dominated the opening set, using an early 16-1 run to take their largest lead of the day at 22-5 following a kill from
Mia Casi. Centre eventually won by a score of 25-15.
- In the second set, the score was tied at 13-13 before Southwestern took control of the frame, outscoring Centre 12-5 the rest of the way to tie the match with a 25-18 win.
- The third set was more of the same as the visiting Pirates grabbed the early lead and kept it, going up by as many as ten points at 22-12 before holding on for another 25-18 win to push Centre to the brink.
- Centre got off to a better start in the fourth set, leading 16-10 after a tandem block from
Elise Grundy and
Syd Bietz. The Pirates scored eight of the next nine points to take the lead and looked to put the match away as they led 23-21, but Centre responded with a rally. Grundy and
Elle B Smith teamed up for a block to put Centre back on top 24-23, and then Smith put the set away with a kill to tie the match again and force the deciding fifth set.
- The fifth set unfolded like much of the match, with both teams trading the lead. With the score tied at 11-11,
Kendra Christopher gave Centre the lead with a kill.
Abby Swartz and
Maya Kondik delivered blocks to force match point and one Southwestern error later, the Colonels had withstood the storm to win no. 18 on the year.
Game 2: Centre 3, Berry 0
- The Colonels played well in the early stages, outscoring the Vikings 10-3 to start the game. Berry slowly chipped away at the lead and used a 6-0 run to go on top at 19-17. Both teams began alternating points as Centre fought off set point four straight times, getting well into extra points. With the score tied 27-27, Swartz and Kondik teamed up for a go-ahead block. Kondik then put the capper on the 29-27 win with the clinching kill.
- The second set was close the whole way, with Centre holding a small lead and Berry staying within striking distance, including a handful of ties. The last tie came at 19-19 before Centre scored five of the next six, with
Campbell Miles's ace forcing a set point. Two points later,
Mack Turner sealed the deal with a kill and Centre won 25-21.
- In the third set, Berry led for most of the early going before Centre finally rallied to take the lead at 18-17. The Colonels would never trail again and finished off the game with a 25-20 victory to complete the sweep.
NEXT UP
Centre will hit the road next week for a doubleheader against Oglethorpe and Sewanee.
