Volleyball splits first day at Springhill Invitational

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Spring Hill College volleyball split two matches against No. 5 West Florida and Wheeling at the Springhill Suites Invitational on Friday.
 
The Badgers started with their season opener against No. 5 West Florida. Spring Hill fell behind in the first set 10-25 before nearly taking set two 19-25. The turning point for SHC came in the third set, when it started off with a 5-0 lead. Spring Hill maintained the lead for the entire set and won 25-22. Airyonna Weaver recorded two kills as the Badgers started the fourth set with a 4-0 lead. The Argonauts took the lead twice before Jessica Fairly and Kassandra Fairly connected to secure the fourth set 25-22. In the fifth set, UWF took an early lead before SHC tied the set at 11 apiece. UWF scored four straight points to take the match 3-2.
 
Spring Hill's second match of the day was against Wheeling. The Badgers took the first two sets (26-24, 25-23) by narrow margins, before losing the next two (23-25, 20-25). Two kills by Brooke Borgmeyer tied the set at 16 apiece, Wheeling then committed two attack errors, giving the Badgers the match win 3-2.
 
Spring Hill at. #5 West Florida
 
Match Details
Date: Aug. 26
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Venue (Location): UWF Field House (Pensacola, Fla.)
 
Results
#5 UWF 3, Spring Hill 2
Records: #5 UWF (2-0, 0-0 GSC), Spring Hill (0-1, 0-0 SIAC)
 
Spring Hill vs. Wheeling
 
Match Details
Date: Aug. 26
Time: 7 p.m.
Venue (Location): UWF Field House (Pensacola, Fla.)
 
Results
Spring Hill 3, Wheeling 2
Records: Spring Hill (1-1, 0-0 SIAC), Wheeling (0-3, 0-0 MIAC)
 
Post-Match Quote – Head Coach Peggy Martin
On the match against No.5 West Florida
"Playing a tough team, we responded well after a dismal start in set one. We grew up a bit as a team and now need to learn and move on.  Defensive backcourt play was outstanding at times. Our offense will get better"

On the match against Wheeling
"Really tough five game match against a really good team after the earlier five game match with West Florida, it was pretty exhausting for our whole team. Very proud of the effort at four kids in double figure kills, which I'm not sure that's ever happened before so a lot of credit to our setter, Jessica Fairly, and especially to our libero, Mikayla Boyer, for an outstanding match both serving and defensively.

Notes
- Freshman Jaylyne Bell saw her first collegiate start against No. 5 West Florida.
- SHC starts its season 1-1 for the first time since 2016
- SIAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Mikayla Boyer led the match against UWF in digs (20) and aces (4).
- Spring Hill led the Argonauts in Aces (15-11) during the match.
- Boyer led in aces (4) against Wheeling.
- Jessica Fairly led in assists (64) against Wheeling.
- Emily Weinzapfel led in kills (23) against Wheeling.
- The Badgers led the Cardinals in points (96), kills (81), aces (7), assists (72) and digs (82).
 
Up Next
The Badgers will play their final match at the Springhill Invitational tomorrow against Lees-McRae at 10 a.m.
 
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