CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The Lee University volleyball needed five sets but they earned the win over Christian Brothers University on Thursday night. The Lady Flames won set one (25-14) but then dropped the next two sets to CBU (25-21 and 26-24) before rallying to win the final two sets (25-15 and 15-10) to earn the win.
The Lady Flames jumped out quickly in set one with a 5-1 early lead. Lee continued to push as CBU could never catch up. The Lady Flames stretched the lead out to 19-10 before winning the first set 25-14. Abby Stroh dominated the set with eight kills. Kamryn Halpin added eight digs in the first set as well
CBU came out strong in set two and jumped out to an early 7-2 lead and forced a timeout from the Lady Flames. The Bucs pushed the lead out to 18-10 as every time Lee tighten the deficit, CBU had an answer.
In the third set, both teams traded points. It was tied at 10-10 before CBU made it 14-11. Scottie Cook blocked three straight attacks to earn the point for Lee and tied the set at 18-18. The teams traded points until Lee led 24-23. Then CBU went on a 3-1 run to take the set 26-24
In the fourth set, CBU jumped ahead early but Lee stayed close and then Hannah Upton had back-to-back aces and gave the Lady Flames a 14-12 advantage. Later in the set, Halpin and two massive digs and a kill in the same rally to give Lee a big point. The Lady Flames went on to pull away on a 11-3 run and win 25-15 in the fourth set.
In the fifth and decisive fifth set, the Lady Flames scored quickly to take the lead but CBU kept it tight. It was tied a 9-9 before Lee ended the match on a 6-1 run to win it.
The Lady Flames are now 5-1 in five set matches this season. Interim Head Coach Silvia Beauzile was very pleased with the result, "We have been ending practice with playing fifth set rules and it has paid off with us winning five matches this year in the fifth. Defensively tonight we dug very well and were able to counter their attacks very well."
Halpin set a career high with 29 digs. Stroh tied a season high 17 kills and had a double-double with 10 digs. Ashton Middleton had 29 assist to pace the Lady Flames.
The Lady Flames will end the regular season on Friday, November 4 at 7 PM at Walker Arena as they will host Union University. It will also be senior night and the annual Volley For a Cure game. The Lady Flames will partner with the MaryEllen Locher foundation once again. "Tomorrow night is always one of my favorite nights for the regular season," said Beauzile, "It is a great honor to be a part of Volley for a Cure."
