Thanks to a break out performance by freshman Claire McMasters the Lee volleyball team officially claimed its spot in the Gulf South Conference (GSC) Tournament with a 3-1 victory over Mississippi College on Friday night from Walker Arena.
After dropping the first set 26-24 to the pesky Choctaws the Lady Flames rallied back for convincing victories in the final three sets (25-16, 25-11, 25-19).
McMasters led the charge filling in for injured outside hitter Silvia Sartori. The Chattanooga native had 15 kills and posted a sizzling .500 hitting percentage. Brooke Wilsman followed with 11 kills and 18 digs to post her second straight double-double. Sadie Johnson (30) and Kristi Farley (20) teamed up at the setter position for 50 assists.
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Carly Callahan added 10 kills and seniors Blaire Beamer and Catherine Conley went out on top in their final home match as Conley tallied eight kills and three blocks while Beamer fired in seven slams and four blocks. MaKayla Beebe led all players with 22 digs.Â
Jenna Campbell paced the Choctaws with 11 kills. Ashton King followed with nine kills and 13 digs while Bailee Berringer pitched in 16 assists.
"We had told the girls Mississippi College has the ability to win a lot more of the matches than what their record shows, said head coach Andrea Hudson. "They have taken some sets off the top teams in our league so we knew that we needed to be ready for tonight."
The Lady Flames finish the regular season at 15-14 overall and 10-10 in the GSC. Lee went 9-3 on the sport court at Walker Arena. Mississippi College falls to 10-20 and 3-16 in league play with one match remaining against Shorter tomorrow.
When asked about the crowd support Hudson was quick to acknowledge another successful Lee program, "Hats off to the cross country team because they have really supported us all season long and have been so vocal at our games. They seem to really have had an effect on all of our fans. We really enjoy playing at our home in front of these great crowds."
Lee will now wait to see where they will go on Tuesday to open up the GSC Tournament. The conference season will officially wrap up tomorrow.
"I told the team they can be proud we are the first Lee volleyball team to qualify NCAA postseason play. We didn't do it the easy way but I think that is what made this night so special. Now we will sit back and wait to see where and who we play on Tuesday," concluded Andrea Hudson.
