Blackburn volleyball falls to Conference Rival Greenville
Blackburn Volleyball lost their last home conference game against the Greenville Panthers on Wednesday March 17th. The game went into three sets all won by the Panthers. The scores are as follows:
Set 1: Blackburn 19, Greenville 25
Set 2: Blackburn 21, Greenville 25
Set 3: Blackburn 10, Greenville 25
In the first set it was tightly contested as there were eight ties and three lead changes. The Beavers took an early three to zero lead thanks to a Lucy Magnussen kill, a block by Elizabeth Bowyer and Magnussen, and then a block solo for Bowyer. Greenville would then go on a seven to three run to take the lead. The set would stay close as Greenville would have a 21 to 18 lead before they would run away with a 25 to 19 win.
In the second set the Panthers lead the whole way as there were no ties or lead changes. Greenville had a 19 to ten lead before Blackburn would make a run to cut the lead down to just three. Ultimately Greenville was just too much as they won 25 to 21. The Panthers were led by Jamin Smith as she had six kills in the set, giving her ten through two sets. Emilie King had two kills for the set giving her five through two sets.
The Beavers started the third set with the lead thanks to a Bowyer kill. Blackburn's one to zero lead was short lived as Greenville scored four consecutive points and never looked back as the Beavers never led again. With the score 14 to nine the Panthers scored seven straight points before Kiah Bedwell was credited with a kill to stop the run. Emily Stahl had four kills in the set to lead Greenville.
Offensively Blackburn was led by King as she had 25 attacks and eight kills. Sabrina Kelsey led the way with 13 assists and Autumn Wilson had 11 of her own.
Defensively the Beavers were led by Amanda Swedberg with 19 digs. Swedberg is currently leading the SLIAC with 220 digs on the season.
Greenville had five players with at least eight kills in the match. The Panthers were led offensively by Smith with her eleven kills and .360 hitter percentage. Anna Finch also had an impressive night with eight kills and a .444 hitting percentage. Jordan Lempa was credited with 21 assists and Kaitlin Murray had 19 assists on the night.
Smith also led the charge on defense for the Panthers with 19 digs. Chasity Hill followed with ten digs herself.
Greenville sweeps the season series two to zero. The Panthers move to 12-2, (10-2) and continue to stay in first place of the SLIAC. Blackburn falls to 5-7, (5-7) which is good for sixth best only one game behind Fontbonne.
UP NEXT: Blackburn was scheduled to play Spalding on this upcoming friday but the game has been postponed. The Beavers will travel to Fontbonne on Wednesday, March 24th and try to sweep the season series. This is the last game before the SLIAC tournament starts.