Mobile, Ala. – The Spring Hill College (SHC) volleyball team defeated arch rival the University of Mobile to open their home slate on Wednesday night. The Badgers claimed the victory by scores of 25-14, 25-11, and 27-25.
Spring Hill controlled play in the first two sets by dominating at the net against a much taller Ram front row. The Badgers outhit Mobile .226 to -.053 in the first set and followed up with a .317 to .077 advantage in set number two. Mobile would regroup at the second intermission and played SHC to a tight third set that was back and forth with neither team gaining more than a three point advantage. It look like Mobile might force a fourth set when they rallied for three straight points to take a 24-22 lead. However, the Badgers would not be outdone as they staved off two set points and closed out the come from behind win 27-25.
The Badger offensive attack was led by
Allison Weimer who knocked down 13 kills.
Sarah Senft and
Kassandra Fairly each had 10 kills and hit for scorching .350 and .381 attack percentages. As a team, the Badgers produced a workman like .270 attack percentage to outpace Mobile which could manage only a .098 overall. The Badger offense was keyed by another solid setting performance
Emmarose Neibert who dished out 38 assists.
The Badger defense was stalwart along the back row out digging Mobile 66-53.
Cassidi Sterrett (21 digs) and
Payton Gidney (17 digs) led the way in thwarting the Ram attack. The Badger front line also out blocked Mobile 6-3 led by Bentley Odem.
"It's always nice to win at home," said Head Coach
Peggy Martin. "I thought we played pretty well in the first two sets. We knew Mobile would fight hard in set three and the team responded down the stretch."
The Badgers (10-3, 5-0 SIAC) will travel Friday, September 21
st for an SIAC match against Tuskegee University who currently sits just a half a game back of SHC in 2
nd place in the SIAC West Division Standings. Game time is at 6:00 p.m.
