SALEM, Va. — Averett University volleyball lost a pair of matches at the Roanoke College Maroon Classic on Friday. The Cougars fell 3-0 to Sewanee, then fell short 3-2 in a five-set loss to host Roanoke.
In the nightcap, Roanoke (5-2) held off Averett (3-4) late to win 25-17, 17-25, 25-23, 20-25 and 15-13. The Maroons jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the deciding fifth set and held a marginal lead. Averett pulled within 13-10, which forced Roanoke to call timeout. Yet, the Maroons won the next two points to hold on.
Although Roanoke took the first set, Averett bounced back to win 25-17 in Set 2. However, the momentum switched back in Roanoke's favor with a 14-3 start in Set 3. Still, the Cougars fought back to take a 20-19 lead. Roanoke responded to take the game 25-23 to go ahead 2-1. Averett opened Set 4 with a 7-2 advantage and pulled away late to even the match at 2-2 and set up the deciding fifth frame.
Despite the loss to Roanoke, sophomore
McKenzie Miller had a strong triple-double performance of 15 kills, 13 digs and 13 assists. Seniors
Keenan Marks and
Jordan Pitzer, junior
Madison Dadez and sophomore
Brooke Aaron each added seven kills. Aaron also totaled 20 digs and Marks had 12 digs and a team-high 26 assists. Senior
Emily Stanley led the Cougars with 23 digs over five sets. Junior
Abby Taylor totaled 12 digs.
Averett opened the day with a 3-0 loss to Sewanee (5-1). The Tigers won 25-14, 25-20 and 26-24. After a tough opening set, the Cougars settled in over the next game. Set 2 was tied 20-20 before Sewanee took the final five points to go ahead 2-0 in the match.
The third set was another close one. Averett and Sewanee were tied 11-11 before the Tigers pulled ahead 19-12. The Cougars, however, fought back to get within 22-21. Sewanee eventually held off Averett 26-24 in extra points to seal the victory.
Senior
Jordan Pitzer led Averett with 12 kills and 13 digs against Sewanee. Freshman
Zamyiah Mangum added nine kills and 13 digs. Senior
Emily Stanley finished with 12 digs and senior
Keenan Marks paced the Cougars with 18 assists.
Averett returns to the court on Day 2 of the Maroon Classic on Saturday. The Cougars face Bridgewater College at 11 a.m. and Randolph College at 1 p.m.
