Strong Serving and Net Play Leads B-CU in Sweep of Savannah State

The LadyCats played well from the outset and worked together well in their system to secure the 3-0 win

	Linda Nwabuko (1) and Sydney Smith (15) took care of business at the net, combining for 7 blocks and 15 kills

Aug. 31, 2010

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Box Score

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Still shaking off the dust from the road, the LadyCats of Bethune-Cookman volleyball returned to action Tuesday night at Moore Gymnasium, as the Lady Tigers if Savannah State University came to town for the B-CU 2010 home opener. The LadyCats played a more cohesive game that the Lady Tigers in each of the sets and came out with big wins in two of the three sets, earning the LadyCats their first win of the 2010 season.

Seemingly energized by a boisterous crowd, the LadyCats jumped to a small lead, but really caught fire in mid-set, when freshman setter Alexis Bliese held serve for ten consecutive points. Solid passing and work at the net sent B-CU to a 25-14 opening set win.

In the second set, the LadyCats got the scores rolling early, capitalizing on the momentum they gained in set one, leading by as many as thirteen. Though the Lady Tigers attempted to rally late, B-CU held on for the 25-16 win.

The third set was B-CU's most impressive start in the match, but SSU attempted to spoil it for the 'Cats, refusing to lie down. The LadyCats opened the third on hot serving by Krysta Gardner, including four straight service aces, giving B-CU a 7-0 advantage to start the set. However, SSU climbed back into the game, knotting up the score at 12-12, before the LadyCats took off on a short scoring run. Though SSU pulled within three in the closing of the set, B-CU's players accomplished exactly what Head Coach Cogswell was looking for; they buckled down and finished the set and match strong, closing with a 25-21 win and the sweep.

Middle Blocker Linda Nwabuko topped the B-CU attack in kill totals (.368 Hit %), taking advantage of her big net presence combined with low shots from SSU for 11 kills. Jessica Wilson came away with 8 of her own (.438 Hit %), while Krysta Gardner had 7 kills, and 6 service aces in the match.

The LadyCats came away with their best team hitting performance of the season, boasting a .211 overall percentage. Sydney Smith led the way, recording the season's best hitting percentage so far, at .571. Though only four kills on the match, Smith chose her shots carefully and recorded no errors on the night, and worked hard in the net game for a team-high 5 total blocks.

Alexis Bliese played strong tonight, recording 26 assists in setting up the LadyCat attack. Meanwhile, defensively, B-CU spread the ball around, with eight players collecting digs, led by Gardner with 6.

The LadyCats are heading out this weekend for another tournament as they travel to DeLand to face off with Florida Atlantic, Wofford, Stetson, and setting off with Wyoming on Friday, Sept. 3 at 11:00 a.m.

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