Box Score Oct. 16, 2009
Final Stats
CONWAY, S.C. - The Coastal Carolina University volleyball team defeated Gardner-Webb 3-2 (25-14, 29-27, 23-25, 23-25, 15-13) in a tough match on Fri., Oct. 16 at Kimbel Arena. The Chanticleers improve to 11-9 overall and 5-2 in the Big South, while the Runnin' Bulldogs fall to 9-14 overall and 2-5 in the Big South.
Both teams came out attacking and neither team hit below.200 except for Coastal's third set, when they hit .175.
Coastal Carolina was led by junior Chelsy Kimes, who finished with 23 kills, one service ace, 14 digs, and two blocks. It was Kimes' 10th double-double of the season and a season-high kill performance. Freshman Sierra Livesay came up big in the match, finishing with a career-high 18 kills while senior Meagan Tracey guided the team with 56 assists and had a season-high four service aces.
The Bulldogs were led by sophomore Laura Wilcox, who finished with 20 kills and five blocks. Freshman Molly Rhyne added 11 kills and 12 digs while sophomore Evan Moffitt tallied 20 digs on the night. Senior setter Regina Feagin registered 53 assists and Melissa Richie added three service aces.
In the first set, it was all Coastal Carolina, who went out on an early 4-0 lead and prevented a Gardner-Webb comeback. Livesay registered five kills for the Chants and Megan Bickford was a perfect 4-for-4 in attacks. Coastal finished the set with a .485 team attack percentage, compared to Gardner-Webb's team attack percentage of .235.
In set two, the Bulldogs came out fighting and went up 5-0. Gardner-Webb went on another 4-0 run, putting them up 14-7. The Chants battled back to tie the set at 17-all. There were nine ties to follow with the final at 27-all as neither team could pull a run together. A kill by Livesay put the Chants up one and Kimes finished the set with a kill from Tracey to give Coastal the 2-0 match advantage. Melissa Richie led the Bulldogs with four kills.
The Chanticleers went out to an early 3-0 lead in the beginning of the third set, but the Bulldogs battled back to tie the set 3-3 on a Coastal error and two kills by Laura Wilcox. Gardner-Webb took the lead, but it wouldn't be for long as the Chants tied the set at 7-all before going out to an 18-14 lead. The Bulldogs slowly came from behind going on a 6-2 run themselves and eventually taking the lead 21-19. Coastal Carolina would force two more ties at 22-all and 23-all, but a kill by Melissa Richie and a Coastal error forced the match into fourth set.
Both teams came out in the fourth set wanting the win and after an early 4-4 tie, Coastal Carolina took the lead for most of the set. Kimes led the Chants with six kills in the set, but Gardner-Webb didn't go away and gradually came back behind Laura Wilcox, who finished the set with seven kills, to tie the set at 23-all. After a Coastal Carolina timeout, Wilcox gave the Bulldogs the advantage and a service ace by Evan Moffitt tied the match 2-2.
In the deciding set, both teams started where they left off in the fourth set and did not back down. There were three early ties before Gardner-Webb took the lead at 5-4. Behind Livesay and Kimes, the Chanticleers went on a 5-0 run to come back and tie the final set at 10-all. Kimes gave Coastal the 11-10 advantage, and Tracey put the Chants up by two. Gardner Webb's Jessica Clayton would shrink the lead to one, but Kimes and a Bulldog error put Coastal at match point. A kill by Livesay from Tracey ended the set and gave Coastal Carolina the 3-2 match win.
Coastal Carolina is back in action tomorrow (Oct. 17) as they face the Bulldogs of UNC Asheville at 2 p.m. at Kimbel Arena. UNC Asheville comes into the match with a perfect Big South mark. Gardner-Webb travels to Winthrop tomorrow (Oct. 17) to face the Eagles at 2 p.m.
