Eagles Drop Five-Setter to Campbellsville
WILMORE, Ky. – Asbury volleyball couldn’t hold on to a 2-0 set lead in falling in five to Campbellsville on Saturday afternoon in the Luce Center. The Eagles won the first two sets 25-18 and 25-19 before dropping three straight, 25-20, 25-15, 15-8. Asbury has lost two straight after a season opening win.
The offense saw their attack percentage drop in each of the five sets from .171 in the first all the way down to negative .043 in the fifth. Sophomore Alyssa Downs and freshman Morgan Newton were bright spots on the afternoon as Downs racked up 11 kills and hit .267 while Newton hit .240 with nine kills. Sarah Sterling and Brittney Rader also added 11 kills.
The Eagles (1-2) couldn’t find an answer for Haley Bechtel who had a match-high 17 kills and hit .279 for Campbellsville (3-0). The Lady Tigers hit .206 for the match while the Eagles hit only .086.
Asbury looked like they might sweep the Lady Tigers off the court, taking the first two sets after trailing early in each set. In the third the tide changed as the Eagles jumped out to an early lead only to see Campbellsville come storming back. The set was tied at 19-19 before the Lady Tigers took six of the final seven points. The Eagles never recovered from there as Campbellsville turned up the pressure in the fourth to hit .419 for the set.
Kelly Cole led all players with 29 digs as the Eagles dug 81 in the match. Campbellsville dug 91, led by Bechtel’s 21. Jessie Bartlow added 23 assists and Mackenzie Burke chipped in with 21. Kira Stewart had 42 assists for Campbellsville.
The Eagles will spend the next three weeks away from Wilmore before returning on September 25. Asbury will open up conference play next Friday in Pittsburgh against KIAC newcomer Point Park. The Eagles will play four matches over two days in Pittsburg as part of a tournament.
