Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 The Maryville College volleyball squad claimed their first ever USA South tournament title and their 11th trip to the NCAA post-season with a 3-2 victory over Averett University by the scores of 25-23, 15-25, 25-21, 21-25, and 18-16.
MC advanced to the championship match against the Cougars after defeating Covenant College 3-1 in the semi-finals earlier in the day by the scores of 29-27, 22-25, 25-14, and 25-20.
Against the Georgian Scots, Maryville was paced at the net by Kelsey Handel and Julia Vineyard. Each threw down 14 kills. Kristen Sharp added nine kills and a match-high 18 digs. Mary Kate White tossed in seven kills. Kristi Bowlin directed the offense with 26 assists while Lauren Bonee added 19 assists. Mallory Bonee was strong on defense collecting 13 digs.
Covenant was eliminated finishing the season with a 21-11 record.
In the championship match, Maryville's Mary Kate White exploded for a team-high 17 kills. Kelsey Handel had a complete effort with 14 kills, three aces, and nine digs. Kristen Sharp added a double-double effort with 1- kills and a match-high 27 digs. Julia Vineyard added seven kills. Lauren Bonee and Kristi Bowlin each collected 22 assists while Mallory Bonee tallied 19 digs.
Four Scots were named to the USA South All-Tournament team. Mallory Bonee, Kelsey Handel, and Mary Kate White were all honored by USA South Commissioner Rita Wigs before MC's Kristen Sharp was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Averett ends their season with a 27-8 record while Maryville concludes their regular season with a 24-15 mark.
