Final Stats

CONWAY - Led by the 22 kills and five blocks of Leah Hardeman, the Coastal Carolina volleyball team topped a tough UNC Wilmington side in front of 633 Chanticleer faithful inside The HTC Center for the Chants' 2015 home debut Tuesday night.

The four-set victory (27-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-22) improves the Chants' overall record to 6-2 for the season, while UNCW drops to 6-3.

Hardeman's kill total led all players, and the sophomore outside hitter added 22 digs and a match-high three aces to her final line. Hardeman's five-block effort was equaled by fellow Chanticleer Eszter Nagy, though each was outdone by the eight blocks of UNCW's Anna Moss.

The Chanticleers were paced in assists and digs by a pair of freshmen as Sara Boothe led all players in the former category with 28, and Carla Cahill held the match-high in the latter category with 24. Natasa Savovic tied Hardeman's dig total with 22 while adding nine kills and an ace.

Coastal came out hitting .077 to UNCW's .000 in an opening set that featured 12 ties and four lead changes. The Seahawks led for the majority of the set, but never by more than three points. Coastal didn't take the lead until later in the set when the Chants strung together a 4-2 run after the game was tied at 16. UNCW's second timeout of the set helped to slow Coastal's momentum, and the Seahawks were able to tie the game once again at 25 apiece. Kills by Annayka Legros and Savovic -- each set by Boothe -- gave Coastal the two-point set victory.

The second set had nine ties and just two lead changes. Coastal was ahead to start the set before surrendering the lead to UNCW at 14-13 on a kill from Meredith Peacock. The Chants regained the lead at 17-16 after Savovic put down her lone ace of the match in front of Lindsay Hartmann. Coastal stayed in front for the remainder of the set, finishing with 16 kills to UNCW's 12.

The Seahawks used a 6-2 run early in the third set to gain a 12-7 lead. Coastal regained the lead just once in the set, but could not overcome a .023 hitting percentage as UNCW totaled 21 digs and five total blocks.

UNCW once again went in front in the deciding set, but six straight points on the serve of Boothe gave Coastal a 12-7 advantage. The Seahawks managed to even the score later in the set a 17-17, but never regained the lead as Coastal closed out the match with the help of six kills apiece from Hardeman and Lian Bernett.

Coastal closed the match hitting .128 to UNCW's .106, though the Seahawks held a 15-12 advantage in total blocks.

The Chanticleers are back in action this weekend as they compete in their final tournament before conference play begins. Iowa will serve as the host of the tournament, which features an opening match against Drake on Friday followed by two matches against the Hawkeyes.