Box Score Maryville Nearly Rallies from 2-0 Down
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Maryville almost turned the tables on a hot Transylvania team before falling Wednesday night in a five-set thriller.
The Scots (1-5) lost the first two sets 25-23 and 25-15, but then rallied for 25-23 and 25-14 victories to force the fifth and deciding set. That one was close throughout, but it was the host Pioneers prevailing 15-12.
"We are so close to doing some great things," Maryville head coach Kandis Schram said. "What turned it around for us tonight was a few adjustments to the lineup and a lot of positive reinforcement. We are pushing ourselves to believe and to never give up."
Brooklyn Wallet and Reese Bailey posted season-highs in kills with 17 and 13, respectively, while Landry Frisch added 12. Natalie Watts was solid again on defense, contributing a season-high 22 digs, with Meredith Bonee chipping in 16. Emily Rogers also came away with a season high in digs with 15.
Coming out of a Set 3 timeout and in danger of being swept, the Scots played some of their best volleyball of the season. Trailing 14-9, Maryville reeled off 11 of the next 14 points to take a 20-17 advantage. Isabella Samson ripped three kills during that stretch and Wallet added two, while Watts fired a couple of aces.
Transy (6-3) tied it at 21, 22 and 23 before Samson and Wallet kills ended the set in Maryville's favor and kept the Scots alive.
Set 4 saw the Scots keep the momentum rolling as Reese contributed five kills and Bonee, Wallet and Frisch posted three apiece. Play was tight early at 7-7 before a 7-0 Maryville run opened things up. Bonee's kill made it 21-12 and the visitors coasted from there for the 25-14 win.
The fifth set was close all the way. Transylvania opened an 11-7 lead, only the watch the Scots pull within 13-12 before the home side put up back-to-back kills for the match.
Maryville heads back on the road for one more weekend, taking on USA South Conference foes in two days of nonconference play. The Scots play Meredith and Greensboro on Friday and then meet William Peace and Pfeiffer on Saturday. All games are taking place at Brevard in North Carolina.
Maryville's home opener is next Wednesday night against Covenant in the first of a 16-game USA South Conference schedule.
