RALEIGH, N.C. — Averett University volleyball's season came to a close with a heartbreaking five-set loss to William Peace University in the USA South Conference Tournament quarterfinals on Tuesday night. The Pacers, the No. 2 seed in the East Division, battled back from a 2-1 deficit to win by scores of 25-14, 22-25, 19-25, 25-13, 15-13.
Averett (16-15), the No. 3 seed in the East, advanced to the quarterfinals with a 3-0 win over No. 6 seed N.C. Wesleyan College earlier in the evening. However, the Cougars couldn't carry that momentum over immediately into the first set against William Peace (24-5). The Pacers dominated the first set to go up 1-0 in the match.
The Cougars settled in during the second set, slowly inching out to a 15-10 advantage. Although the Pacers made a run late to get within two, Averett put them away to even the match. The Cougars picked up where they left off entering the third frame. Tight throughout, the two rivals were tied 19-19 before Averett won the final six points to put the Pacers away and go up 2-1 in the match.
Yet, William Peace came back strong in the fourth set, forcing a deciding fifth game for the third time in as many meetings between the two schools.
Averett battled back from a slow start in Set 5. Down 11-6, the Cougars rallied to get within 14-13. A service error on the next point clinched the win for William Peace, sending the Pacers to Friday's semifinals.
Senior
Keenan Marks totaled 17 assists, 16 digs and seven kills, while senior
Jordan Pitzer had a team-high 11 kills. Sophomore
Brooke Aaron also had a double-double of 10 kills and 10 digs. Senior
Emily Stanley led the Cougars with 27 digs and two service aces and sophomore
McKenzie Miller totaled 16 assists, 13 digs and seven kills for Averett, which also got 16 digs from junior
Abby Taylor.
Averett had little trouble in its first round match against N.C. Wesleyan (10-23). The Cougars won 25-11, 25-10 and 25-14.
As a team, Averett hit .337 against the Battling Bishops, with Miller leading the way with 10 kills and 12 assists. Marks had a strong performance as well with 15 assists, seven digs and nine kills. Aaron and Stanley had 12 digs and 10 digs, respectively.
