MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The William Carey Women's Volleyball Team went 1-1 to open up pool play in the SSAC Champion falling to Loyola 3-0 and defeating UT-Southern 3-2 at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl.
 
After dropping their opening match at 9:00 am, Carey turned their focus to UT-Southern in the afternoon.  The Firehawks opened on a 4-1 run but WCU responded with four straight points and from there both teams traded shots.
 
With the Lady Crusaders leading 9-8, they went on a 9-2 run and never looked back, taking the set 25-16.  Things went back and forth to start the second set but UTS slowing pulled away building a 19-12 advantage.  Carey refocused and went on a 4-0 run and a 5-0 run to take the lead 23-22.  The battle was on again from there and with the set at 25 all, back to back kills by Elaina Anderson and Rachel Stegall would complete the comeback, giving WCU a 2-0 lead.
 
The Lady Crusaders got off to a shaky start in the third finding themselves trailing once again 20-14.  But just like the previous set, WCU rallied behind a 7-1 run to even the set at 21.  However, the Firehawks halted the rally closing the set with four straight points to stay alive. 
 
Carey opened the fourth building a 10-6 lead but UT-Southern stormed back with an 11-1 run and would go on to take the set 25-17 to force the deciding fifth set.  The Lady Crusaders quickly forgot about the fourth set and built an 11-6 advantage in the fifth.  However, the UTS would go down without a fight cutting the deficit to just one at 14-13 but Stegall would end the threat will a kill to preserve the win.
 
Carey is back in action tomorrow, as they wrap up pool play against Life University.  First serve is scheduled for 1:30 pm at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl.