BRISTOL, Tenn. – For the first time in the friendly confines of the Student Center Complex, the King University women's volleyball team defeated Lincoln Memorial University. It wasn't easy, however, as the Tornado trailed two sets to one and 12-8 in the fifth set. King scored the last four points of the match to take the set 15-13 and the match 3-2.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: King 3, Lincoln Memorial 2 (25-23, 21-25, 21-25, 25-18, 15-13)
LOCATION: Student Center Complex; Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 5-5; Lincoln Memorial 1-7
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
- The Tornado got off to a hot start behind a kill from Brittney Ramsey and two from Hailee Blankenship.
- Just as quickly as King took the lead, Lincoln Memorial came back to take a 9-6 lead before a 4-0 King run gave the Tornado a 12-9 lead.
- King later fought back from a 17-15 deficit to take a 20-19 lead following a 5-2 run and an ace from Katie Harless.
- The set was again even at 22 before Zephanie Snyder came up with a kill followed by a block from Abigail Belcher and Allie Zimmerman.
- Following a Railsplitter point, Blankenship gave King the 25-23 win with her third kill of the set.
Second Set
- The teams went back-and-forth early on with King taking a 13-10 lead following a Julie Ward service ace.
- However, the Railsplitters scored five straight points out of a timeout to take a 15-13 lead.
- Lincoln Memorial held the lead there, taking the set 25-21.
Third Set
- Again, the teams traded blows in the early going until Lincoln Memorial used three straight points to open up a 17-14 lead.
- The Tornado fought back and pulled within 19-18, but it wasn't enough as Lincoln Memorial won the set 25-21.
Fourth Set
- Trailing 12-11, Ward got the Tornado offense going with a kill.
- Her termination started a 6-0 run that vaulted the Tornado in to a 17-12 lead.
- Ramsey had a kill on the run and Ward served up an ace.
- The teams traded points before back-to-back kills from Ward gave King the set 25-18.
Fifth Set
- Zimmerman gave King an 8-7 lead before the Railsplitters rolled off five straight points to take a 12-8 lead.
- Following a Tornado timeout, King scored three straight points as a Snyder kill pulled King within 12-11.
- Lincoln Memorial ended the run with a kill, but Ramsey answered with a kill for the Tornado.
- The Tornado evened the score and Ward served up an ace to give King a chance at match point.
- A Railsplitter attack error gave King the set 15-13 and the match 3-2.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Ward led the Tornado with 16 kills, 15 digs and three service aces.
- Snyder followed with 11 kills, five digs and two blocks.
- Blankenship added 10 kills and 20 digs while Ramsey chipped in with nine kills.
- Georgia Davis handed out 15 assists and added 15 digs.
- Harless posted 27 assists and 15 digs.
- Gabri Puertas led the back row with 27 digs.
FOR THE FOES
- Ketura Margaret led Lincoln Memorial with 16 kills and eight digs.
- Richlyn Ross added 13 kills while Kristen Moehring chipped in with 12 kills.
- Sevgi Koyuncu led the defense with 31 digs while Chloe Britton added 20 digs and 25 assists.
- Emily Walter handed out 23 assists and added 15 digs.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The 20 digs for Blankenship set a career-high, topping her previous best of 17.
- Snyder set career-highs with 11 kills and five digs.
- Puertas' 27 digs set a career-high, eclipsing her previous best of 17.
UP NEXT
- King opens Conference Carolinas play on Wednesday night with another home match as the Tornado take on Erskine College at 7:00 p.m.
- Lincoln Memorial hosts UVA Wise on Friday night.
