Aug. 28, 2010

Georgia Box Score / East Tennessee State Box Score

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - It was a tough day for the Coastal Carolina University volleyball team as it dropped both matches (3-0, 3-0) in the final day of the Deacon Invitational hosted by Wake Forest. In the first match of the day, the Chanticleers fell 3-0 to Georgia, followed by a 3-0 loss to East Tennessee State in the second match.

Georgia 3, Coastal Carolina 0
In a tough match against the Georgia Bulldogs, the Coastal Carolina volleyball team never found its drive in a 3-0 sweep on the second day of the Deacon Invitational. The Bulldogs defeated the Chanticleers by set scores of 25-13, 25-23 and 25-17.

In the first set of the match, it was all Georgia as the Bulldogs went to an early 9-2 lead and Coastal could never regain its momentum to post a comeback. Amanda Russell led the Chants offense with three kills in the set.

In the second set, the Coastal offense came alive, forcing 10 ties and two lead changes. Chelsy Kimes tallied four kills and Megan Bickford and Erika Lightsey posted two blocks a piece. Both teams stayed close, exchanging points until the final tie at 23-all when the Bulldogs took the final two points of the set.

Georgia went out to an early 8-3 lead in the third set, but Coastal gradually battled back to tie the set at 16-all. Following the tie, the Bulldogs went on a 7-0 run, allowing Coastal just one more point before they won the set and took the match.

The biggest difference between the two teams was the service game. Coastal was held without an ace in the match compared to Georgia's 14 aces. The Bulldogs also outscored the Chanticleers in kills 41 to 25. Kimes led the attack with seven kills and Amanda Russell finished with five kills. Lindsay Gill added 10 digs while Lighsey and Meghan Laffin each posted three blocks.

East Tennessee State 3, Coastal Carolina 0
In the final match of the Deacon Invitational, Coastal Carolina fell 3-0 to East Tennessee State. The Buccaneers defeated Coastal in three close sets by scores of 25-20, 25-23 and 25-18.

In the first set, Coastal kept the game close with three early ties and after the final tie at 6-all, East Tennessee State gradually pulled away. The Chants came to within one at 17-16, but could not find a rally, losing the first set 25-20.

The second set was even closer than the first with 15 ties, but Coastal could never get ahead enough to put the set away. Both teams went point for point several times, but at 23-23, the Buccaneers won the final two points to take a two set lead.

Looking to keep the match alive, the Chanticleers battled in the third set, but their effort was not enough as East Tennessee State's offense was too strong, giving the Buccaneers the match win.

East Tennessee State won the battle at the net, posting 17 total blocks to the Chants eight and both teams were held to under a .100 attack percentage. Kimes led the offense, finishing with a match-high 13 kills while Lauren Alejo dished out 22 assists.

Coastal Carolina is back on the road next weekend as it travels to Blacksburg, Va. for the Hokie Invitational. The Chanticleers will face tournament host Virginia Tech on Friday, September 3 at 7 p.m. followed by Jacksonville State and Long Island on Saturday.