LYNCHBURG, VA. – The Coastal Carolina University volleyball team dropped a 3-0 (22-25, 14-25, 22-25) decision to Liberty Friday, Oct. 24 at the Vines Center. The setback drops the Chanticleers to 17-8 on the season and 6-3 in Big South play, while Liberty moves to 18-6 overall and 9-1 in league play. Liberty played spoiler for the second time this season ending Coastal Carolina’s winning streak at five matches. Earlier this season, Liberty snapped the Chanticleers’ six-match winning streak.  

 

The match played evenly through the first set as the teams split the first 12 points playing to a 6-6 tie. With the help of a few attacking errors by the Lady Flames, the Chanticleers would stay close pulling to within one point at 20-19. Liberty would record five of the final eight points to hand Coastal Carolina a 25-22 loss in the first frame.

 

A six-point rally early in the second set gave Liberty an 11-4 lead, as the Chanticleers struggled to find an attacking rhythm. Another seven-point rally developed for the Lady Flames, as the Chanticleers were out-hit .286 to .033 to fall in the second frame 25-14.

 

A kill by junior Jill Nyhof (Alpharetta, Ga./Northview) gave the Chanticleers their first lead of the night at 1-0, but Liberty would not back down as it continued to put the pressure on the Chanticleer defense. Coastal Carolina put together a three-point rally to trim Liberty’s lead to 18-16. A kill by junior Meagan Tracey (Scottsdale, Ariz./Horizon) and attacking errors by the Lady Flames tied the set at 19-19. Liberty recorded five of the next six points, earning match point at 24-20, but the Chanticleers held off for two more points before surrendering 25-22 in the third set.

 

Sophomore Megan Bickford (Olathe, Kan./Olathe South) had 11 kills while sophomore Chelsy Kimes (Munster, Ind./Munster) was held to nine kills. Senior Brett Starbuck (Glen Allen, Va./J.R. Tucker) tallied 20 digs for the Chants, while Tracey registered 25 assists. Coastal Carolina hit .168 while Liberty posted a solid .281 on the attack.  

 

Coastal Carolina will take on Radford Saturday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. in Radford, Va. The match is slated for 2 p.m.