HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Lady Crusaders battled through defensive and offensive mistakes to defeat UT-Southern in conference play, Friday night at the Ben Waddle Complex.
 
Things started off well for Carey in the first set, as they opened on an 8-3 run before building the lead to 13-5. After giving up the next two points, WCU got back-to-back kills from Elaina Anderson and an ace from Katarina Vulic followed by two errors from the Firehawks to take a commanding 18-7 lead. Carey would go on to win the set comfortably 25-10, winning on three straights kills by Marcella Hermont.
 
Carey opened the second set, taking the first point. Things went downhill and fast from there, as the Lady Crusaders found themselves trailing 9-1. Carey managed to slow the bleeding and battle to get back within four points on multiple occasions. WCU kept grinding away, and using a 5-1 run, found themselves tied at 18 all. From there the battle was on, as there were four lead changes and four ties with the last tie being at 23 all. The Lady Crusaders went on to win the set 25-23 thanks to an attack error by the Firehawks and a block by Suelen Lima and Anderson.
 
Carey returned to form in the third set, as they built a commanding 13-2 lead to open the set. WCU would go on to build their lead to eleven points at 16-5 and just as it looked as if they had things well in hand, UT-Southern attempted to mount a comeback with a 5-0 run. However, Carey quickly shut down any thought of a rally, as they answered with three straight points and never looked back, taking the set 25-18.
 
Suelen Lima led three Lady Crusaders in double digit kills with twelve while adding eleven digs. Elaina Anderson finished with eleven kills with Marcella Hermont adding ten kills. Katarina Vulic finished the match with 41 assists with Gabriela Maceira coming down with fourteen digs.
 
Carey is back in action tomorrow, as they take on Blue Mountain Christian in SSAC play. Play is set to begin at 1:00 pm at the Ben Waddle Complex.