Women's Volleyball 10/29/2014 12:11:00 PM

Citadel Edges By Lady Tigers

Box Score

SAVANNAH, Ga. – In the third and final match between Savannah State and The Citadel this year, the Lady Tigers battled hard as the Lady Bulldogs squeezed out a 3-0 win in Willcox-Wiley Gymnasium on Tuesday.

SSU lost to The Citadel 1-3 in their first meeting, and fell 0-3 in the second meeting earlier this month. On Tuesday, SSU opened the first game with a 3-0 run behind a service ace from Olivia Wasdin and two Citadel errors.

SSU held onto their advantage over the next several points, but the Lady Bulldogs slowly cut away at their lead. On a kill from Megan Sowell, The Citadel tied the game up at 7.

The kill opened a 3-0 run, resulting in The Citadel's first lead of the game. Later, the Lady Tigers were trailing 10-13, but Lynae Bryant served up a 5-0 run, that included two service aces, and kills from Gabrielle Nathaniel, Zariya Thomas and Caitlynn Masoe.

The spurt lifted SSU to a 15-13 lead, and forced the visitors to take a timeout. SSU held their lead until a kill from Bailey Kernodile tied the set at 20 all.

Later, a kill from Christian Lyle tied the set up at 23 as both teams vied for the opening set win. A kill and a service ace from Sowell sealed up the 25-23 win for The Citadel and a 1-0 lead in the match.

The Citadel opened the second set with an 8-3 run, prompting the Lady Tigers to take a timeout early on. SSU struggled down the stretch, as the Lady Bulldogs handled the set with ease, taking a 2-0 match lead on a 21-12 game win.

In the third set, teams were tied up at 4 early on, but SSU broke the stalemate with back-to-back service aces from Bryant. Kills from Masoe and Dilworth kept SSU in the lead.

The Citadel kept the game close, and on an SSU error the game was tied at 12 all. Moments later, a kill from Nathaniel lifted SSU to a 14-12 lead, prompting The Citadel to take a pause.

Later in the set, errors from both teams tied the set up at 16. Teams traded errors and kills until The Citadel took advantage of two Lady Tiger errors and added a kill for a 22-18 lead, prompting SSU to take a timeout.

Kills from Dilworth and Lyle cut the Citadel's lead to 22-20 out of the timeout. A kill from Bailey Kernodle and an error from SSU put the match within The Citadel's reach with a 24-20 lead, but SSU kept in the fight.

Thomas recording a kill, Elexius Harris laid down a service ace and The Citadel committed a costly error as SSU moved within a point of the visitors. Kernodle ended the match with a kill for the 25-23 set win and 3-0 match victory.

Dilworth led the Lady Tigers with eight kills, followed by Masoe with five. Bryant led the field in service aces with four. Alexis Washington led in digs with eight. Dilworth and Masoe each added seven digs.

Savannah State falls to 4-23 on the season. They are set to play their final home game against Mercer University on Wednesday. The team will also be celebrating Senior Day with pregame ceremonies to honor Chantia Taylor and Olivia Wasdin's contributions to the program.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#1 Elexius Harris: OH/MH; 5' 9"; Freshman

#2 Zariya Thomas: OH/RS; 5' 11"; Freshman

#3 Gabrielle Nathaniel: MH; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#4 Alexis Washington: L; 5' 4"; Sophomore

#7 Caitlynn Masoe: S; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#10 Chantia Taylor: MH; 5' 8"; Senior

#6 Olivia Wasdin: DS/L; 5' 8"; Graduate Student

#15 Christian Lyle: MB; 5' 11"; Junior

#16 Lynae Bryant: S; 5' 8"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#1 Elexius Harris
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: OH/MH

#2 Zariya Thomas
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: OH/RS

#3 Gabrielle Nathaniel
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: MH

#4 Alexis Washington
: 5' 4"; Sophomore
: L

#7 Caitlynn Masoe
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: S

#10 Chantia Taylor
: 5' 8"; Senior
: MH

#6 Olivia Wasdin
: 5' 8"; Graduate Student
: DS/L

#15 Christian Lyle
: 5' 11"; Junior
: MB

#16 Lynae Bryant
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: S