DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College women's volleyball team (5-10, 2-4 CC) was defeated by Chowan University (3-12, 1-7 CC) in five sets at Belk Arena on Friday.

MATCH STAT LEADERS vs Chowan (2-3 FINAL, 27-25, 17-25, 21-25, 25-19, 15-17)
KILLS: Alexis Waddy (19)
ACES: Ryleigh Taylor (2)
BLOCKS: Ali Angell (3)
ASSISTS: Ailena Mykins (22)
DIGS: Mahayla Law (17)

HOW IT HAPPENED
In a makeup game of a contest originally scheduled for late September, Erskine and Chowan played a classic five-set thriller. Set 1 was back-and-forth until Chowan jumped out to a 19-13 lead and looked to have taken control of the set. But, the Fleet responded with an 8-1 run fueled by three kills from Becca Yohe to fire Erskine in front, 21-20. It took the Fleet four set points to finally put away Chowan, but eventually Erskine took the opener. Erskine led Set 2 for most of the early stages with five different players tallying points to help the Fleet start fast. But, Chowan rallied back and pulled away down the stretch to take the second set and tie the match. The Hawks started Set 3 on a 3-0 spurt, but the Fleet responded instantly, led by Yohe and Ali Angell. However, the Hawks opened a five-point advantage halfway through the set and kept the Fleet at bay. Trailing 22-17 in the set, Erskine won four straight points behind a serving run from Ryleigh Taylor, but the Fleet were unable to get any closer. The fourth set was dominated by the Fleet essentially from start to finish. Erskine got production from a number of contributors in the set and led 24-14. Similar to the opening set, the Fleet had to work to put away the Hawks, but a kill from Alexis Waddy sent the match to fifth set. In Set 5, Erskine jumped out to an 11-5 lead and looked to be closing in on a victory. But, the visitors responded with seven unanswered points to suddenly take the lead. Waddy stopped the bleeding with a kill on the next point to tie the set at 12, and two kills later from Angell, Erskine had match point. Chowan stayed alive, but Angell quickly delivered another kill to set up match point number two. However, the Hawks won the next three points as the Fleet came up just short in a five-set heartbreaker.

THE PLAYER
Despite the loss, freshman opposite hitter Alexis Waddy had her best match of her very young collegiate career. The Tomball, Texas native came off the bench and totaled a match-high 19 kills, while hitting a remarkable .341 on the night. Waddy consistently delivered timely kills throughout the match, and also added a pair of blocks in the front row.

THE TEAM
Erskine hit .162 (59 K / 28 E / 191 TA) for the match, while Chowan posted a .182 hitting percentage. The Fleet held an 8 to 6 advantage in blocks, but were minus-five in the ace department, surrendering 11 Chowan aces.

WHAT'S NEXT? 
Erskine has a quick turnaround as the Fleet return to their home floor to host division leaders, Emmanuel University (10-6, 7-0 CC), on Saturday at noon. Saturday will also be Senior Day for the Fleet, who will honor Ailena Mykins, Sally Spangler, Ryleigh Taylor, and Brenna Williams prior to the match.

MORE ABOUT THE ERSKINE COLLEGE FLYING FLEET

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