MOBILE, Ala. – The Spring Hill College (SHC) court volleyball team closed out its 2019 home and conference seasons with a 3-0 (25-7, 25-12, 25-20) sweep of the Tuskegee University (TU) Golden Tigers on Friday night at the Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center.
The Golden Tigers (8-17, 5-13 SIAC) entered the game shorthanded with just seven players dressed out and the Badgers quickly took advantage of the opportunity, using a 12-0 run to close out the first set in a 25-7 victory. The second set was decided by a 19-3 SHC run that made the score 24-6. Tuskegee would run off six points to draw within 24-12 before the Badgers found an open spot in the floor for a 25-12 decision. The third set was nip and tuck as SHC worked in younger players for the seniors. Tuskegee briefly held a 10-8 advantage, but an 8-0 run by the home team snuffed out the threat with SHC taking the final 25-20 win.
As a team, the Badgers built a .262 (33-11-84) attack percentage with six aces as the Tuskegee defense earned 32 digs and five blocks. The SHC defense held the Golden Tigers to a -.029 (22-25-104) attack percentage with two aces while taking in 50 digs with four blocks.
Individually, senior setter
Emmarose Neibert of Arnold, Mo., collected 29 assists with the final helping hand coming on the last play of the match to give her an even 3,000 career assists. Senior libero
Cassidi Sterrett of Lee's Summit, Mo., had 16 digs to push her career total to 2013. Senior outside hitter
Taylor Hurst of Gulf Shores record eight kills to pace the Badger offense while freshman
Mikayla Boyer of Covington, La., served up two aces.
SHC completed its fourth consecutive undefeated season in SIAC play and ran its current conference win streak to 88 matches, dating back to the 2015 season. Since joining the SIAC in 2014, the Badgers hold a 107-1 record in conference play.
Spring Hill now leads the all-time series with Tuskegee by a 13-0 margin in a rivalry that dates back to 2014.
The Badgers (29-4, 18-0 SIAC) will close out the 2019 regular season on Monday at crosstown rival the University of Mobile Lady Rams (17-11) at H. Austill Pharr Gymnasium at 7 p.m.
