AIKEN, S.C.- The Shorter Volleyball team fell to USC Aiken and Carson-Newman on Friday in the USC Aiken Convocation Center.
The Hawks (1-4) battled USC Aiken to begin the day, falling in a 3-2 (16-25, 25-27, 25-23, 25-19, 12-15) battle before falling to Carson-Newman in straight sets (16-25, 14-25, 23-25).
Match One: Shorter 2, USC Aiken 3
The hosts gained the early advantage, taking a 14-9 lead. Shorter battled back, going on a 5-1 run to bring them within one, but it would not be enough as USC Aiken closed the set on a 10-2 run. Shorter had a much better start to the second set, scoring the first four points as
Caroline Sivills led the way. The Pacers did not go down easily, surging back to reclaim the lead. The Hawks managed to regain control with a 9-3 run to take a 17-13 lead. Another run from the hosts brought them back, as both sides began to fight. The Hawks battled, but unfortunately came up short as USC Aiken claimed the second set.
Another hot start from the Hawks in the third set proved to be the deciding factor, as despite another comeback attempt from the Pacers, Shorter hung on to force a fourth set. Both sides clashed to begin the fourth set. Shorter pulled ahead late, outscoring USC Aiken 6-1 to take the match to five sets.
The Pacers jumped out to an 8-4 lead in the fifth set before the Hawks stormed back to even it at 11 all. Unfortunately, the Pacers closed the match on a 4-1 run to claim the victory.
Caroline Sivills led the Shorter attack with 15 kills, while
Acca Berube and
Taylor-Reese Howell each contributed 10.
Caitlyn Sutton led the Hawks with 18 digs to help pace the Hawks defensively.
Match Two: Shorter 0, Carson-Newman 3
The Hawks struggled in the opening set, falling behind 15-5. Shorter fought back, but could not recover from the large deficit, dropping the first set. The Eagles continued to dominate, opening the second set on another massive run that would be too much for Shorter.
Shorter competed well in the third set, jumping out to a 10-4 lead. The Hawks continued to hold on to the lead, taking a 20-17 lead after a service ace from
Ava Medina. Carson-Newman slowly crept back into it and would even it up at 22 all. Shorter fought, but could not hold off the Eagles, falling in straight sets.
UP NEXT
The Hawks will aim to bounce back tomorrow as they face off against Lander and Augusta to close out the USC Aiken/Augusta Invitational.
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