Box Score Despite a trio of standouts posting double digit kills, the Maryville College volleyball team lost a five set thriller to open their 2012 campaign against Centre College by the score of 3-2.
Centre claimed the first set of the MC Invitational 25-23 before Maryville rallied for a 25-19 win. The Colonels put pressure on the Scots after winning the third set 25-18 before MC set the match into a final rally winning 25-18. During the final set the Scots held an 8-6 advantage after MC's Kelsey Handel and Kara Strickland combined for a block. Three strong kills by Kara Strickland gave the Scots a 15-14 lead but a kill by Centre's Lydia Prevost and a service ace by Suzanne Asbury game Centre their opening win of the season.
The Colonels (1-0) were paced by Kimberly Lownds' 11 kills while Suzanne Asbury, Celia Moser, and Catherine Janszen each tossed down 10 kills. Janszen finished with a double-double adding 18 digs during the match.
Maryville (0-1) saw Kristen Sharp throw down a game-high 16 kills while returning nine digs. Kara Strickland added a double-double performance with 15 kills on a 31% hitting percentage and 13 digs. Kelsey Handel added 11 kills. Teri Lind directed MC's efficient offense with 39 assists and Mallory Bonee, Lind, and Kristy Newman paced the defense with 16, 10, and 10 digs respectively.
Maryville will return to the court at 6:00 this evening to challenge Hanover College.
