Box Score Misenheimer, N.C. – For the Erskine Flying Fleet (21-7), the old adage that the "third time is a charm" did not ring true as the Fleet fell tonight for the third time this season to the Pfeiffer University Falcons (21-3) 3 to 0 (24-26, 20-25, 25-27) in the championship game of the Conference Carolinas Championship Tournament at Merner Gym.
With two sets requiring extra points, the championship game proved to be heart-stopping. In the first set, Erskine had two game-point opportunities but committed a service error and a hitting error to allow Pfeiffer to tie the set at 24 to 24. Pfeiffer won the next two points on a block and kill to win the set.
In the third set, it was Erskine's turn to overcome game-point twice. Junior
Mike Michelau (Trevor, WI, Westosha Central High School) knocked down back-to-back kills to tie the set at 24 to 24. Michelau finished with 7 kills. After exchanging a point each, Pfeiffer scored the next two points, one off a Fleet attack error, to win the set 27 to 25 and the match 3 to 0.
Roberto Perez Vargas (Dorado, P.R., Bayamon Military Academy) led the Fleet with 11 kills and 5 digs.
For Pfeiffer, Fabio Diniz knocked down 14 kills on just 19 attempts. He also had 3 blocks.
Erskine's
Michael Schneck (Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University High School) and
Omar Melendez (San Juan, P.R., Colegio San Ignalio de Loyola) were voted to the all-tournament team.
With the win, Pfeiffer advances to the national championship tournament.