CONWAY, S.C. – The Coastal Carolina University volleyball team’s winning streak was halted at six matches, as Liberty (11-4, 2-0) defeated the Chanticleers 3-1 (29-27, 16-25, 21-25, 20-25) Sept. 27 at Kimbel Arena. Sophomore Chelsy Kimes (Munster, Ind./Munster) had 20 kills for the Chanticleers while senior Brett Starbuck (Glen Allen, Va./J.R. Tucker) had 18 digs. The loss puts Coastal Carolina at 11-6 overall and 1-1 in the Big South.

It was point-by-point battle in the first set, as neither team looked to surrender a significant lead. With the score tied at 26-26, the Chants gained the one-point lead off an attacking error by the Lady Flames, but Liberty answered with a kill to knot the score at 27-27. A kill by sophomore Amanda Russell (Liberty, Ind./Union County) and a bad set by Liberty sealed the 29-27 set for the Chanticleers.

Liberty responded in the second frame using a six-point rally to take a 21-13 advantage. Two service aces by the Lady Flames earned a set point at 24-15, but Liberty conceded one more point to the Chants before capturing the second set 25-16.

Liberty jumped out to a 13-5 lead in the third set before the Chanticleers put together a five-point run to cut the lead down to 13-10. Liberty stretched the lead to 22-17, which proved to be too much for Coastal Carolina as they dropped the third frame 25-21.

The Chanticleers looked steady in the fourth set, playing to an 11-11 tie, but a consistent attack from the Lady Flames helped them slip past Coastal Carolina 25-20.

Bickford registered 10 kills while junior Meagan Tracey (Scottsdale, Ariz./Horizon) carried the offense with 26 assists. Junior Megan Pollard (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) earned four service aces and eight digs in the match.

The Lady Flames had three players with double-digit kills, including a match-high 22 from Nicky Scripko.

Coastal Carolina goes on the road Tuesday, Sept. 30, heading south to in-state rival Charleston Southern. The match is slated for a 2 p.m. start.