MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The William Carey Volleyball Team's bid for an SSAC Tournament Championship came up short, as they finished runner-up to Mobile 3-1 Saturday afternoon at the Multi-Plex at Cramton Bowl.
"This weekend was some of the best volleyball I've seen the team play as a whole," said Head Coach Ronda Shirley. "They executed the small details well and elevated our defense from a blocking & digging standpoint. They played more consistent from set to set and match to match."
"Although we didn't have our best performance against Mobile, I am still very proud of the overall performance this weekend. Mobile is a very solid team, and we have to give them credit for the way they played."
Carey got off to a great start, as back-to-back blocks followed by two aces from Barbara Guedes put WCU ahead 5-2. Mobile fought their way back to tie the set at six, but the Lady Crusaders quickly retook the lead, before going on to take a 14-8 lead. From there, WCU maintained a comfortable lead before closing the set on a 4-0 run for the 25-18 victory.
The second set started just like the first except it was the Rams that got off to the hot start, opening on an 7-1 run. Carey slowed the run, getting back to within three points on multiple occasions but each time Mobile answered to extend their lead. Just as it looked as if the Rams had things well in hand, Carey made things interesting cutting the deficit to just two points at 24-22 but Mobile would get the last point on a kill to even the match at one set apiece.
The battle continued well into the third set, as neither team led by more than a point until Mobile took a 14-12 lead. From there, the Rams took control of the set behind a 7-2 run, before going on to take the set 25-18 and a 2-1 lead.
The Lady Crusaders found themselves playing catch up once again in the fourth set. UM took an early 12-6 lead and they never looked back, going on to take the set 25-16 and the match.
Sofia Bettini led the way with twelve kills while Kayla Benedic had twenty digs. Katarina Vulic finished with 35 assists with Suelen Lima and Marcella Hermont combining for 26 digs.
"We can't forget we still qualify for the NAIA National Tournament. That is a huge accomplishment for a team that was pre-season picked to finish fifth in the conference.
"As hard as today's loss is, the team is extremely excited to find out who and where we will play on the 23rd. Our season is not over yet. We will be ready to get back into the gym to prepare for the next challenge."
With Mobile winning both the regular season and tournament title, Carey will receive the other automatic bid to the NAIA Opening Round for finishing as the SSAC Tournament runner-up. The opening round for the NAIA national Tournament will be held at campus sites on Saturday, November 23.
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