Box Score Central, S.C. – The Erskine Flying Fleet (13-5, 9-0) prevailed 3 to 1 over the Warriors of Southern Wesleyan University (15-6, 6-1) in a clash of Conference Carolinas unbeaten teams this afternoon.
Both teams entered today's contest unblemished in conference play. The Erskine Flying Fleet overcame a sluggish first set, losing 25-14, to win the next three sets to claim the top spot in the conference standings.
Senior
Caitlin Bullock (Lexington, SC, White Knoll High School) knocked down 20 kills and in doing so became the first Erskine women's volleyball player to surpass 1,000 career kills since the return of women's volleyball as a varsity sport in 2009.
Teammate
Kelly Sullivan (Wellington, FL, Wellington Community High School) blasted a season-high 17 kills on 32 attempts while sophomore
Sade Mendez (Gardena, CA, Redondo Union High School) contributed 11 kills. Sophomore setter
Kristen Dodge (Duncan, SC, Byrnes High School) recorded her ninth double-double of the season with 44 assists and 14 digs. Sophomore
Kendall Kirk (Lexington, SC, White Knoll High School) continued her excellent play on the back row with a game-high 15 digs.
It appeared SWU would run away with the game in the first set. Leading 12 to 8, the Warriors rattled off eight consecutive points. Sarah Hughey had three of her team-high 12 kills on the run.
The Fleet returned the favor in the next set, blasting SWU 25 to 13. With the score tied 11 to 11, Erskine went on a 14 to 2 run to win the set. Bullock led the Fleet with 6 kills in the set.
The outcome of the third set probably decided the match which went into extra points. With the score knotted at 26 to 26, the Flying Fleet tallied the next two points to claim the set. Dodge put the Fleet up one with a kill then secured the game-winner on a block with Sullivan.
The Fleet never trailed in the fourth set, claiming an early three point lead on three kills by Sullivan and won the set handily 25 to 18.
The Fleet will play their last non-conference game this Tuesday against Georgia Regents University – Augusta. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.
