SEWANEE, Tenn. – Freshman
Mollie White recorded a career-high 12 kills, while
Maria Kennedy added nine, as the Tigers defeated Spalding University in straight sets, 25-20, 25-21, 25-23, on Saturday morning.
Sewanee opened the first set on a strong 12-5 run, highlighted by two kills each from Kennedy and a kill from Savannah Gann. The Eagles responded with a 7-1 run, taking advantage of three kills and two attacking errors by the Tigers to narrow the score to 13-12. However, Sewanee regrouped and closed the set on a 12-8 run. Kennedy led the charge with four more kills, with contributions from White, Ella Reynolds, Gann, and Sydney Bixby. Kennedy's final kill sealed the set at 25-20. Sewanee tallied 15 kills in the first set compared to Spalding's 10 and added two service aces to the Eagles' one.
The Tigers carried their momentum into the second set, opening with a 5-0 run behind Emma Meyer's serving. Spalding fought back to tie the game at 6-6 and briefly took their first lead at 7-6. A kill from Anna Ellison brought Sewanee back into the game, leveling it at 7-7. Two unreturned serves from Sophia Caruso pushed the Tigers to a 9-7 lead. Both teams battled evenly, with the score tied at 17, each team posting eight kills and two blocks.
Sewanee broke the deadlock with an attacking error from Spalding, followed by a kill from Ellison, an ace from Kennedy, and another kill from White, extending their lead by four. Reynolds added a well-placed tip to make it 23-20. Despite Spalding pulling within one after a block, Gann delivered a timely kill, and a service ace closed the set at 25-21.
In the second set, the Tigers posted a .211 hitting percentage, with 13 kills, five service aces, and two blocks. The Eagles countered with 11 kills, two blocks, and one ace, while both teams committed two service errors.
The third set saw Meyer open with another strong serving run, leading the Tigers to a 4-0 start. The teams traded points in what became the most competitive set of the match. With the Tigers clinging to a 22-21 lead, Gann delivered a crucial kill to push Sewanee within two points of victory. After a Spalding block cut the deficit to one, an attacking error gave Sewanee match point. Although the Eagles briefly stayed alive with a kill from Abigail Ratts, Suna Merkler closed the match with a kill, securing the win for the Tigers.
White's standout performance included 12 kills with only one error for an impressive .458 hitting percentage. She also contributed four block assists, totaling 14 points for Sewanee. Kennedy added nine kills and eight digs, while Gann recorded eight kills, nine digs, and two service aces.
The Tigers hit the road next weekend for the start of an eight-game stretch away from home, beginning with a conference matchup at Centre on Saturday morning, followed by a neutral-site non-conference game against Berea College that afternoon.
