BLUEFIELD, W.V. – The Erskine College women's volleyball team (3-5) split a pair of games in Day 2 at the Big Blue Classic, hosted by Bluefield State University, on Saturday. The Fleet took down Salem University (2-5) in straight sets to start the day and went the full five sets against West Virginia Wesleyan College (6-2) in their final match of the weekend.
 
MATCH 1 STAT LEADERS vs Salem (3-0 FINAL, 25-14, 25-19, 26-24)
KILLS: Alexis Waddy (11)
ACES: Mahayla Law (3)
BLOCKS: Ella Dietrich (3)
ASSISTS: Brenna Williams (14)
DIGS: Ryleigh Taylor (14)

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Fleet had an early start to a busy saturday in West Virginia, with a 10 a.m. start against Salem. But, a pair of early kills from Becca Yohe helped Erskine double up Salem, 8-4, in the opening set. A few points later, Ryleigh Taylor catalyzed a five-point scoring run for the Fleet with a pair of kills, extending their lead to 15-8. The Fleet maintained their sizeable lead and an ace from Mahayla Law capped a convincing first set win. Taylor and Ali Angell each had kills early on in Set 2, but the Fleet saw themselves looking up at a three-point deficit. Then, Ella Dietrich went on a huge four-point serving run that included an ace to fire the Fleet in front, 11-9. Salem drew level later on, but then it was Law's turn to deliver a couple aces as part of a four-point serving run of her own, regaining Erskine's lead. Salem got back within four at 23-19, but a kill from Alexis Waddy followed by another Dietrich ace sealed a Set 2 win. The Fleet started slow in Set 3, but battled back and a Kimmy Stiltner kill gave Erskine its first lead of the set, 10-9. After Salem equalized on the next point, the Fleet won eight of nine, fueled by consecutive aces from Meghan DeWalt and capped by consecutive kills from Waddy as the Fleet led 18-11. But, Salem responded with a huge scoring run of its own and took the lead, before back-to-back kills from Dietrich put Erskine back on top, 21-20. Later in the set, Salem fought off three match points for Erskine, tying things at 24. But, Brenna Williams delivered with a kill to set up match point number four for the Fleet and this time a bad set by Salem sealed an Erskine victory in straight sets to start the day.
 
THE PLAYER
Freshman opposite hitter Alexis Waddy posted a career-high and game-leading 11 kills in the match. Waddy was also efficient, posting a .400 hitting percentage and contributing four digs and an ace to help the Fleet to a sweep.

THE TEAM
Erskine hit a season-high .309 (43 K / 13 E / 97 TA) for the match and totaled a season-best 11 aces as well, finishing plus-5 in the category in the match.

MATCH 2 STAT LEADERS vs West Virginia Wesleyan (2-3 FINAL, 17-25, 26-24, 17-25, 25-19, 15-5)
KILLS: Becca Yohe (14)
ACES: Ailena Mykins (3)
BLOCKS: Ali Angell (2), Sally Spangler (2)
ASSISTS: Ailena Mykins (25)
DIGS: Mahayla Law (15)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Rounding out the weekend with their first ever meeting against West Virginia Wesleyan, a quick 4-0 spurt helped the Fleet take an early lead in the opening set. But, the Bobcats responded with a run of their own and held a lead for most of the set. Erskine rallied a bit late, but the deficit was too much to overcome. Set 2 had a chaotic start, but Becca Yohe killed off three consecutive points to help Erskine take some control, leading 9-4. However, West Virginia Wesleyan came back to draw level on a couple occasions, and then took a 22-21 lead. Ella Dietrich responded with a kill to get the Fleet back level. Then, with the match tied at 24, kills from Ryleigh Taylor and Ali Angell sealed a Set 2 victory for the Fleet. Erskine used that momentum to jump out to a 4-0 lead in Set 3, capped by an ace from Ailena Mykins. But, the Bobcats followed by winning the next ten points. Erskine showed resiliency to get back into the set and got as close as within a point, but the Bobcats pulled away late to take Set 3. However, Erskine started fast again in Set 4, this time thanks to aces from Mykins and Taylor to go up, 6-1. Erskine held a sizeable lead for awhile, but West Virginia Wesleyan made its run eventually, trimming the Fleet's lead to 18-17. Brenna Williams followed with a kill and then a Yohe ace helped Erskine regain some breathing room. The Fleet closed the set strong, winning the final four points, capped by a kill from Sally Spangler to force a winner-take-all Set 5. After the Bobcats took the opening point of the fifth set, Yohe answered with a kill. But, the Bobcats won the next six points. Erskine fought back to within three points, but the early deficit proved to be too much in the shortened fifth set as the Fleet's attempt to a comeback win for the second consecutive day came up just a bit short.
 
THE PLAYER
Sophomore setter Ailena Mykins had a team-high 25 assists and filled up the stat sheet, adding in three aces, five digs, and a kill.

THE TEAM
Erskine hit .197 (51 K / 23 E / 142 TA) for the match, but allowed West Virginia Wesleyan to hit .271 and surrendered 16 Bobcats aces.

WHAT'S NEXT? 
Erskine finally has its 2024 home opener that coincides with its conference opener, when the Fleet welcome in Young Harris College (0-3) on Friday at 6 p.m. Each team won their home contest in the two meetings last year, including a five-set thrilling victory for Erskine.

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