Eagles Clip Paladins, 3-2
9/26/2010 3:24:00 AM | Volleyball
GREENVILLE, S.C. – A combined offensive effort from the Georgia Southern Volleyball team propelled the Eagles past the Furman Paladins 3-2 (25-22, 19-25, 29-27, 18-25, 15-11) at Alley Gymnasium Saturday evening (September 25). The win snapped a 19-match conference regular season winning streak held by Furman entering the contest, while also ending an 11-match home win streak.
“I just thought it was a great match. I thought both teams left it all on the floor and competed hard,” said Head Coach Chad Callihan. “We were fortunate to make a few more plays in the fifth set, but the match really could have swung different ways. Furman is a very challenging team. I'm proud of our team for staying focused and continuing to grind.”
Georgia Southern improved to 10-6 overall and 2-0 in Southern Conference play, while Furman dropped to 6-7, 0-1.
Bethany Sanford (Avondale, Ariz.), Parker Small (Charlotte, N.C.) and Moriah Bellissimo (Blackstone, Va.) combined for 47 kills, 30 digs and 11 blocks. Sanford led the attack with 18 kills, while Small and Bellissimo added 16 and 13, respectively. Continuing her strong defense, Ashley Roe (Campbell, Calif.) collected 26 digs and Kate Van Dyke (Shawnee, Kan.) racked up 50 assists in the five-set win.
Georgia Southern grabbed set one 25-22 after jumping out to a 5-1 lead. Furman climbed back, knotting the score at 13-13, but the Eagles roared back, taking a 24-21 lead on a Van Dyke service ace. A Paladin error sealed the set win for Georgia Southern.
Bellissimo and Small each posted five kills in the second set, but Furman was able to even the match at 1-all with a 25-19 victory. The Paladins claimed an 8-2 lead and never looked back. Trailing 21-11, a Furman service error sparked a 6-0 Eagle run, but Furman capped the frame, 25-20.
The teams battled in set three, forcing eight tied scores and five lead changes. Georgia Southern held a 23-19 lead, but the conference foes knotted the score five times thereafter. Tied at 27-27, a Sanford ace handed Georgia Southern its third set point and a Lauren Claybaugh (Danville, Calif.) kill secured the victory, handing the Eagles a 2-1 match lead with a 29-27 win.
Six kills from Chandler Ambrester pushed Furman to a 25-18 fourth set victory. Georgia Southern called a timeout at 18-12 as Furman claimed the frame on a Caroline Adams kill.
The Paladins limited Sanford to start the match, but the outside hitter erupted in the fifth set totaling six kills, including two in the last four points. Sanford sealed the match win with her 18th kill of the match for a 15-11 fifth set victory.
The win marked the first Eagle victory over Furman since a 3-2 win at Furman in 2008.
Georgia Southern returns to Hanner Fieldhouse to play host to South Carolina State, Tuesday, Sept. 28. Match time is slated for 6 p.m.
“I just thought it was a great match. I thought both teams left it all on the floor and competed hard,” said Head Coach Chad Callihan. “We were fortunate to make a few more plays in the fifth set, but the match really could have swung different ways. Furman is a very challenging team. I'm proud of our team for staying focused and continuing to grind.”
Georgia Southern improved to 10-6 overall and 2-0 in Southern Conference play, while Furman dropped to 6-7, 0-1.
Bethany Sanford (Avondale, Ariz.), Parker Small (Charlotte, N.C.) and Moriah Bellissimo (Blackstone, Va.) combined for 47 kills, 30 digs and 11 blocks. Sanford led the attack with 18 kills, while Small and Bellissimo added 16 and 13, respectively. Continuing her strong defense, Ashley Roe (Campbell, Calif.) collected 26 digs and Kate Van Dyke (Shawnee, Kan.) racked up 50 assists in the five-set win.
Georgia Southern grabbed set one 25-22 after jumping out to a 5-1 lead. Furman climbed back, knotting the score at 13-13, but the Eagles roared back, taking a 24-21 lead on a Van Dyke service ace. A Paladin error sealed the set win for Georgia Southern.
Bellissimo and Small each posted five kills in the second set, but Furman was able to even the match at 1-all with a 25-19 victory. The Paladins claimed an 8-2 lead and never looked back. Trailing 21-11, a Furman service error sparked a 6-0 Eagle run, but Furman capped the frame, 25-20.
The teams battled in set three, forcing eight tied scores and five lead changes. Georgia Southern held a 23-19 lead, but the conference foes knotted the score five times thereafter. Tied at 27-27, a Sanford ace handed Georgia Southern its third set point and a Lauren Claybaugh (Danville, Calif.) kill secured the victory, handing the Eagles a 2-1 match lead with a 29-27 win.
Six kills from Chandler Ambrester pushed Furman to a 25-18 fourth set victory. Georgia Southern called a timeout at 18-12 as Furman claimed the frame on a Caroline Adams kill.
The Paladins limited Sanford to start the match, but the outside hitter erupted in the fifth set totaling six kills, including two in the last four points. Sanford sealed the match win with her 18th kill of the match for a 15-11 fifth set victory.
The win marked the first Eagle victory over Furman since a 3-2 win at Furman in 2008.
Georgia Southern returns to Hanner Fieldhouse to play host to South Carolina State, Tuesday, Sept. 28. Match time is slated for 6 p.m.
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