MOBILE, Ala. – The Spring Hill College volleyball team swept Albany State, 3-0, in the Cricket SIAC Women's Volleyball Championship semifinal at the Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center on Friday night.
 
The Badgers (25-17, 25-15, 25-14) took set one by a score of 25-17 with the help of a five-point scoring run that was highlighted by kills from match leader Kassandra Fairly (12) and Airyonna Weaver. Spring Hill won set two 25-15, totaling 16 kills in the set while holding Albany State to nine. The Badgers completed the 3-0 sweep of the Golden Rams with a 25-14 victory in the final set.
 
Setter Jessica Fairly led the match with 28 assists while libero Mikayla Boyer led with 17 digs. Fairly has recorded 1,050 assists so far this season. The Badgers recorded their best attacking percentage against the Golden Rams of the season (.326).
 
Albany State's offense was led by Sydney Melton with nine kills, Molly Wilson with two service aces and Molly Wilson with 17 assists. SIAC Freshman of the Year Khamari Nelson (5 blocks) and Hailey Elyicio (13 digs) led the Golden Ram defense.
 
Match Details
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 7 p.m.
Venue (Location): Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center (Mobile, Ala.)
 
Results
Spring Hill 3, Albany State 0
Records: Spring Hill (28-7, 19-0 SIAC), Albany State (17-8, 15-3 SIAC)
 
They said it
Head Coach - Peggy Martin
On the match
"I think we played a very tough [and] athletic Albany State team and I thought that our serving and passing were they keys to victory. Both sides can nail the ball pretty good at the net. Both sides can block the ball, but I think we probably won out because we handled the ball a bit better than they did in the backcourt. I was impressed by their defense; they were all over the court digging balls. I thought they had an impressive performance and I'm pleased to get away with a 3-0 win."
 
On playing for a fourth-straight SIAC championship
"I think tomorrow the key is the setting and getting our ball to our setter in a good position, even in transition, not just when we're receiving. Being able to dig some balls back to our setter, because the team we're playing against [Edward Waters], they hit the ball and they block the ball. I think another key is going to be how we trust our team to cover our hitters, so our hitters aren't afraid to hit against the gigantic block that's on the other side. So, I think serving, passing, digging, covering our hitter and then swinging away [are keys to victory]. Again, I think what they [her players] said; you go out and have a good time. Sure, there's a little pressure on us to win, but as we all know pressure is a privilege and we certainly rather have the pressure than not being the team we think we are. So I think handling the pressure and we're going to have to play a pretty good volleyball match."
 
R-Sr. Middle Hitter - Kassandra Fairly
On the match
"It was a pretty exciting match, as coach said Albany State is a really good team. It was really close in the beginning, but I'm pleased with how we started picking it up towards the middle of the game and pushed through to the end."
 
On playing for a fourth-straight SIAC championship
"I think it's exciting to get to play in the conference championship in our home gym. I think it will be an exciting matchup between us and Edward Waters since we haven't played them since the very beginning of the season, so I think it will be a really exciting game. I think it will be fun to see how it goes.
 
So. Middle Blocker – Airyonna Weaver
On the match
"At the beginning of the game, it was really close, back-and-forth, but what got us [ahead] was our serving, passing, handling the ball and putting it away."
 
On playing for a fourth-straight SIAC championship
"I'm excited to play as well. I love playing teams with high momentum and energy; it makes me play better [and] have more fun. Serving and passing and putting the ball away, that's going to help us."
 
R-So. Outside Hitter - Brooke Borgmeyer
On the match
"I think we handled the ball pretty well and then I think we picked up our offense at the end of the game and were more aggressive with swinging out of system."
 
On playing for a fourth-straight SIAC championship
"I'm looking forward to a good competition. Edward Waters is a really good team. I think if we keep our passing and serving good; we can do good things."
 
Up Next
Spring Hill will play for its fourth consecutive SIAC Championship tomorrow in the Outlaw Center at 1 p.m.
 
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