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LYNCHBURG, VA — The tandem of Jennifer Belk and Rachel Harnack combined to record 56 kills to lead third-seeded Liberty to a 3-1 (30-22, 31-33, 30-23 and 30-26) victory over sixth-seeded Coastal Carolina in the final quarterfinal match of the 2001 Big South Volleyball Championship, Thursday evening at the Vines Center. The contest was a battle from start to finish as it featured 24 ties and 13 lead changes.

Game one featured nine ties, including a knotted score at 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 before the Lady Flames recorded nine-consecutive points to take the first game.

Liberty held a 13-9 lead in game two before Coastal Carolina put together a 9-2 run to take its largest lead of the match, 18-15. Liberty tied the contest at 28 and 30 before Katie Knutson (Jr. OH, Fort Erie, Ontario) recorded three consecutive kills, propelling the Chanticleers to a two-point victory.

The Chanticleers jumped out to a 20-15 lead in game three before the Lady Flames reeled off 15 of the game's next 18 points to take a 2-1 game advantage with a 30-23 victory. The final game proved to be another Liberty comeback as Liberty came from behind to tie the game at 17-17 and 24-24 before the Lady Flames recorded six of the matches final eight points to seal the victory.

Big South Rookie of the Year Belk (Fr., OH, Leander, Texas) led the Lady Flames with 28 kills and 21 digs, while Big South first-team all-conference honoree Harnack (Sr., OH, Ortonville, Mich.) followed with 27 kills and 16 digs. Michelle Howland (Sr., S, El Cajon, Calif.) added a game-high 67 assists and 16 digs.

Coastal Carolina was paced by Knutson as she finished with 15 kills and 14 digs, while Sarah Bennett (So., OH, Eagan, Minn.) added 12 kills and a team-best 21 digs. Sarah Besemer (Fr., S, Spencer, N.Y.) led the squad with 25 assists and nine digs, while Elizabeth Laubenthal (Sr., OH, Fairhope, Ala.) chipped in with 11 assists and 17 digs.

With the victory, Liberty, who moves to 19-10 on the year, advances to face second-seeded Winthrop in the second semifinal match on Friday night. The contest is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. The loss ends Coastal Carolina's season as the Lady Chanticleers finish the year with a 10-20 record.