HOOVER, Ala. – The Spring Hill College (SHC) court volleyball team opened play at the 2019 NCAA Division II South Regional Crossover on Friday afternoon with a dominating 3-0 (25-20, 25-8, 25-21) victory over non-conference rival the Lee University Flames in the Finley Center at the Hoover Met Complex.
SHC pulled away to an early 13-9 over the Flames (9-11) in the first set and survived a 6-2 run by Lee before closing out the set with a kill from junior outside hitter
Allison Weimer of Covington, La., and a 25-20 victory. In the second set, the Badgers exploded out to a commanding 17-4 advantage before cruising to a 25-8 decision and a 2-0 lead in the match.
The third set saw the Badgers begin the way they ended the second stanza by steamrolling to a 7-1 lead until Lee righted the ship and pulled to within 21-20. A final 4-1 push to the finish line capped by a shared block from junior right side hitter
Bentley Odom of Mobile, Ala., and senior setter
Emmarose Neibert of Arnold, Mo. sealed the 3-0 outcome.
As a team, the Badgers belted out a .255 (35-10-98) attack percentage with three aces as Lee's defense managed 44 digs and three blocks. The SHC defense limited the Flames to a .058 (25-28-120) attack percentage and just one serving ace while scooping in 48 digs with nine blocks.
Individually, Odom collected a match-high 11 kills with two blocks and four block assists. Neibert distributed 26 assists and senior libero
Cassidi Sterrett of Lee's Summit, Mo., had 21 digs.
The victory secured a measure of retribution for the Badgers who lost a previous match 3-1 at Lee earlier this season. Since 2007, the Badgers and the Flames stand at an even 4-4 record in the rivalry with neither team managing consecutive victories.
The Badgers (24-4, 17-0 SIAC) continues action at the South Region Crossover on Saturday at 9 a.m. versus the University of West Alabama Tigers (6-14) followed at 4:45 p.m. with a match against the Shorter University Hawks (6-13).
