Box Score
Box score
ANDERSON, S.C. - Freshman outside hitter Shannon Gillespie
nearly posted her 10th double-double of the season, but the
Anderson volleyball team opened its final two-game homestand of the
season with a 3-0 (16-25, 19-25, 19-25) setback to Tusculum in
South Atlantic Conference play Friday night at the Abney Athletic
Center.
Anderson (4-11, 7-19 SAC), which is battling for a spot in next
month's eight-team conference tournament field, suffered its third
consecutive setback. Tusculum, which has clinched a berth in the
event, improved to 17-9 overall and 10-6 in the league.
The first set was knotted five times before the Pioneers snapped
an 8-8 tie with a 4-1 run to grab a lead they would not relinquish
at 12-9. AU climbed back within 12-11, but Tusculum answered with a
9-2 outburst that put the set out of reach.
AU fell behind early in the second frame, but rallied to claim a
10-8 edge on a kill from sophomore Joy Hiller, but the Pioneers
scored three unanswered points to take a narrow lead. Tusculum
snapped a 13-13 tie with two consecutive points and held the
advantage throughout the rest of the set.
Tusculum jumped out to an early 10-4 lead in the third set, but
Anderson chipped away at the deficit, eventually taking a narrow
15-14 lead. The Pioneers countered with six unanswered points to
build a 20-15 advantage and held the lead the rest of the
way.
Gillespie led the Trojans with nine kills and 17 digs, while
senior Marlie Bryant and junior middle blocker Tiffany Rowe each
added five kills apiece. Freshman Meghan Cautero handed out a
team-high 26 assists and freshman Kalie Endres recorded 14
digs.
Anderson will close out its home schedule with a 2 p.m. Homecoming
match on Saturday, as Mars Hill invades the Abney Athletic
Center.