DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University volleyball staved off elimination, then edged division rival Meredith College 3-2 in a thrilling five-set match Saturday to help the Cougars remain undefeated in USA South Conference play. Averett also beat Methodist University 3-0 earler in the day as the Cougars hosted a conference quad match at the Grant Center.
Averett (12-7, 4-0 USA South) knocked off Meredith 25-23, 18-25, 19-25, 25-23 and 15-12. Despite winning the opening set, the Cougars struggled the next two games as Meredith (10-6, 5-1 USA South) went ahead. Yet, Averett regained its form in the fourth frame. The Cougars grabbed a 20-12 lead, only to see Meredith battle back and get within 23-22. Averett got a block from sophomore
Sarah Smoot to clinch the set and force the deciding fifth game.
Although Averett led 4-1 early, the final frame was a nail-biter. Meredith battled back to go in front 7-5, and the two teams stayed neck. After Meredith won two consecutive points to go up 12-10, Averett head coach
Danny Miller called a timeout.
"I told them that we had to keep playing, that we have to make sure that we did not get out-worked," Miller said of that fifth-set timeout.
It worked as the Cougars won the final five points to complete the come-from-behind victory over the Avenging Angels, with the final point coming on sophomore
Christiana Summa's service ace.
Sophomore
Hannah Shields finished with 18 kills, while Smoot had nine kills. Summa totaled 10 digs, with freshman
Keenan Marks adding 41 assists, nine digs and three service aces.
Earlier in the day, Averett breezed past the Monarchs 25-13, 25-23 and 25-13. Shields led the Cougars with 22 kills against Methodist (7-6, 2-4 USA South). Smoot had seven kills and 12 digs, Summa had 16 digs and senior
Katelyn Holley made nine digs with five service aces. Marks tallied 35 assists to aid the Cougars.
Meredith defeated Ferrum College 3-0 and Ferrum topped Methodist 3-1 in the other quad match contests.
Averett returns to action on Oct. 1 when it travels to Greensboro College for its first conference road match of the season.
