Due West, SC – The Erskine Volleyball Team showed the effects of only playing one game in the last eleven days tonight as Limestone won the match 3 sets to 1. In the first set, Limestone jumped out quickly to a 10 to 2 lead forcing Erskine Coach Heather Vahjen to take a timeout. The Fleet responded initially to close the gap but the Limestone attack, lead by senior Melissa Thomas, overwhelmed the sluggish Erskine team winning 25 to 15.
Having knocked the rust off, Erskine played up to their potential in the next two games. Alison Albers (Goodhue, MN/Iowa Lakes CC) got the Fleet a quick 4 to 2 lead with 2 nice blocks to start the second set. The teams swapped points until Limestone scored three quick points to tie the game at 11 apiece. Once again the teams essentially traded points until Erskine made two critical back to back service errors giving Limestone a 22 to 20 lead. Limestone would hold that lead to win 25 to 22.
Despite being down two games, the Lady Fleet did not pass quietly in the 3rd set. Behind a passionate crowd, led by the Erskine Men’s Soccer team, the Lady Fleet clawed to a 25 to 22 victory. Early on the lead changed several times before Erskine jumped out to a 10 to 6 lead. The Saints were able to tie the game at 15 to 15, triggering an Erskine timeout. Out of the timeout, the Erskine offense erupted with two strong kills by Lauren Stewart (Hartwell, GA/Hart Co. HS) and another by Liz Massey (Greenville, SC/Eastside HS). Erskine would go to win the third set 25 to 22.
Unfortunately, Erskine could not sustain the momentum into the 4th set. Limestone exploded to a 9 to 3 lead behind senior Melissa Thomas. After exchanging a series of points, Limestone would close out the set on an eight point run winning the final set 25 to 10. Melissa Thomas led all attackers with 18 kills on the evening while Erskine was led by Liz Massey and Alex Acevedo (Roebuck, SC/Dorman HS) with 10 kills each. Liz Massey also had 11 digs giving her a "double-double" on the evening. Teammate Larz Chabra (Mt. Pleasant, SC/Wando HS) also earned a "double-double" with 34 assists and 11 digs.
With the loss Erskine drops to 7-6 in Conference Carolinas (9-13 overall) while Limestone College improves to 8-5 in Conference Carolinas (12-13 overall). Erskine travels to Lander University Friday evening before returning home to host the inaugural Aramark Classic Volleyball Tournament on Saturday. Please check the Erskine website for more tournament information.
