SWANNANOA, N.C. - The Brevard College volleyball team (2-3) earned a hard-fought victory, 3-1, over Warren Wilson College (0-3) on Wednesday evening in Swannanoa, North Carolina.
The victory marked the first win for the Tornados over the Owls in the two program's first-ever meeting against each other, as Warren Wilson is in its first year of fielding a women's volleyball team. The matchup also marked the inaugural home contest for WWC in the sport.
Kaitlyn Pressley, a senior from Brevard, North Carolina, led all Tornados with 10 kills while also dishing out eight assists. Ashley Hoxit and Makenna Parkins each added eight kills with Parkins logging nine digs defensively. Junior setter Logan Priddy distributed a team-best 21 assists, and senior libero Bailey Lance led the defense with 13 digs and also notched five service aces. Sophomore Jaxson Tumicki led the attack at the net for the Nados with five blocks (three solo, two assisted) to go alongside four kills.
Warren Wilson's Kaitlyn Helinsky drove home a game-high 15 kills, while Vera Pabdolfo dished out 31 assists and Lillian DeMeglio had 17 digs.
The two sides were nearly dead even in most major statistical categories, but Brevard held a sizable edge in the blocking category (11-3).
Warren Wilson was plagued by attack errors in the first set, as the Owls committed 12 miscues as the Tornados cruised to a 25-12 set victory. The hosts were able to turn the tides in the second set, however, with a 25-17 set win to tie the match up, 1-1.
Brevard was able to pull away in the third set with a 25-15 win. With a 13-12 set lead, the Tornados used a 12-3 scoring run to close the set out and take a 2-1 match lead.
The Tornados and Owls capped off the competitive match with a thrilling fourth set which included 12 tied and five lead changes. With Warren Wilson holding a 22-21 edge late, Brevard was able to battle back and pull away with a Hoxit kill followed by an Owl attack error, service error, and a match-clinching double block from Parkins and Tumicki that gave BC the 3-1 road win.
Brevard will open up its home slate with a match against Bob Jones University next Wednesday, September 13 at 6 p.m. at the Boshamer Gymnasium.
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-BC-
