Pioneers Fall in Five as Columbia Rallies Back
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Spartanburg Methodist (4-12, 0-4) | 26 | 25 | 22 | 12 | 10 | 2 |
|
Columbia (SC) (2-11, 2-2) | 24 | 18 | 25 | 25 | 15 | 3 |
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Host Columbia College rallied from a two-set deficit to defeat the Spartanburg Methodist College volleyball team in a reverse sweep, 24-26, 18-25, 25-22, 25-12, 15-10, on Saturday.
The Koalas (2-11, 2-2 AAC) committed just 10 hitting errors in the final three sets after recording nine in each of the first two. Three Columbia players reached double figures in kills, led by Maranda Bird's 18 and a .342 hitting percentage. Teammates Tamia Fripp and Destiny Brown added 15 and 10 kills, respectively. The trio combined for 43 of Columbia's 59 total kills.
The Pioneers (4-12, 0-4 AAC) were paced by Kendall Meinders and Aurora Aho, who each tallied eight kills. Makinnley Smart contributed six kills and four solo blocks, while setters Tristan Craine and Brook Noe posted 19 and 14 assists, respectively. Noe, Arielle Deas, and Hana Vucinic each served three aces, and both Aho and Craine added two.
SMC hit .200 and .214 in the opening two sets to take a 2-0 lead but was limited to .143 in the third, -.111 in the fourth, and .059 in the deciding fifth set as Columbia completed the comeback.
The Pioneers return to action on Tuesday, Sept. 30, when they travel to face Montreat at 6:30 p.m. at Asheville Christian Academy in Swannanoa, N.C.
