Box Score BRISTOL, Tenn. – In a rematch of the regular season finale, the King University women's volleyball team squared off against the University of Mount Olive. As the top seed in the Conference Carolinas North Division, the Tornado hosted the north division fifth seed in the first round of the Conference Carolinas Tournament and the Trojans made things interesting. After King took the first two sets, Mount Olive won the third set before King took the final set 25-23 to advance 3-1.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: King 3, Mount Olive 1 (25-9, 25-14, 17-25, 25-23)
LOCATION: Student Center Complex, Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 19-12, Mount Olive 4-23
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Tornado cruised to take the first set 25-9 behind a blistering attack percentage of .500 with 14 kills. King grabbed a 7-1 lead and didn't look back as Ashleigh Manke capped the victory with her fifth kill of the frame.
- King didn't slow down in the second set, hitting .469 with 17 kills as the Tornado took the frame 25-14. King used a 5-1 run, capped by kills from Ashton Beckner and Grace Underwood to grab control of the set leading 12-7.
- In the third set, the Trojans show some life as they took an early lead at 8-4 and continued to extend their advantage. The lead grew to 15-8 as Mount Olive went on to take the set 25-17 and extend the match.
- Mount Olive continued their hot play to start the fourth set, jumping out to a 9-3 lead before King started to work their way back. The Tornado finally got back to even at 16-16 and took their first lead of the set at 19-18 on a kill by Underwood.
- Lauren Willoughby then ended the 25-23 victory with back-to-back kills, sending King to the semifinals.
- Underwood led King with 15 kills, hitting .385 and added a team-high four blocks.
- Manke followed with 11 kills and Willoughby chipped in with 10 kills and eight digs.
- Olivia Underwood dished out 38 assists to go along with eight digs.
- Amy Serowski led the defense with 17 digs while Casey Williams added 12 digs.
FOR THE FOES
- Alysha Burnett led Mount Olive with 7 kills and Sarah Watkins followed with six.
- Nicole Karas handed out 14 assists to go along with eight digs.
- Casey Fiechter led Mount Olive with 15 digs.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- King advances to the Conference Carolinas Tournament semifinals for the third straight year.
- A season ago, King defeated Mount Olive in the quarterfinals, and followed it with a win over Limestone College in the semifinals.
- The semifinals and finals will both be hosted by Erskine College on Saturday and Sunday.
UP NEXT
- King will face Limestone on Saturday at Erskine College. First serve is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
