Related: Volleyball Blanked By Columbus State
PEMBROKE – In the last day of competition in the 2013 regular season, the UNC Pembroke volleyball team went 1-1, picking up a 3-1 victory on the road at Coker, after falling in three-straight sets at against Montevallo.
In the first game of the afternoon, UNCP (16-20, 4-14 PBC) was shutout in Peach Belt Conference action by Montevallo (19-10, 11-7) in scores of 25-21, 25-21 and 25-17. Following the match the Lady Braves traveled to Hartsville, S.C., and were victorious against Coker (3-28). UNCP topped the Cobras, 25-21, 15-25, 25-21 and 25-22.
The Falcons used a strong attack to top the Black and Gold, as Manyi Ati and Rebekah Phelps both turned in double-digit kills with 10 kills and 11 kills, respectfully. Marissa Baker passed the UNCP offense with nine kills, while Sarah Bower chipped in another eight kills for the Lady Braves. Montevallo commit just nine attack errors, compared to 22 from UNCP, as the Falcons finished with a .276 hitting percentage.
Defensively, Danielle Brown tallied a team-best 23 digs for the Black and Gold. Sabrina Gonzalez contributed 14 digs and Baker added another 10 to the UNCP defense. Cecilia Brandon totaled three block assists, while Gonzalez had two block assists of her own. Distributing the ball to the hitters was once again Shekinah-Joy Toloumu, who totaled 34 assists.
Phelps helped the Falcons jump out to an early lead in the beginning of the first set, and Montevallo was able to hold on to its advantage until back-to-back kills from Bower evened the score at 19-19. Phelps would strike again, serving four-straight points to finish set one. UNCP was in control for most of the second frame, leading by as much as seven at one point. However, Montevallo regained the moment, closing out the set on a 7-1 run. The final frame was dominated by the Falcons, who took a 6-0 lead following an opening run from Briana Marquez. The Lady Braves tried to comeback but the deficit was too much, as a kill from Carle earned match point.
UNCP bounced back in the evening, opening up against Coker by winning a close first set. Bower helped pull the Black and Gold in front after three-straight point, and the Lady Braves were able to maintain that momentum long enough to take the first game. Coker answered back in the second frame with the help of Mindy Morris, whose 8-0 serving run gave the Cobras an 11-4 advantage. The Cobras did not let up the rest of set two, using a kill from Willis to even the score, 1-1. The Lady Braves were not ready to give up, winning the next two sets to clinch the match. Both of the final sets were back-and-forth battles the entire way, but UNCP was able to endure the pressure and outlast the Cobras to win the final match of the regular season.
Gonzalez and Toloumu were big-time contributors to the UNCP victory, both turning in double-double performances. Gonzalez finished with 16 kills and 10 digs, while Toloumu notched 31 assists and 12 digs. At the net, Brandon posted four blocks, including three solo blocks. The Lady Braves' also received strong defensive performances from Brown and Bower with 17 digs and 16 digs apiece.
With the conclusion of the 2013 regular season, the Lady Braves have clinched the eighth seed in the 2013 PBC Tournament. UNCP will play #1 Armstrong (27-1, 18-0) in the opening round of the PBC Tournament, which will be held inside of the Smith University Center on the campus of Francis Marion in Florence, S.C. The quarterfinal match will be held on November 22, game times will be announced on Monday by the conference office.
