Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The William Carey Volleyball Team wrapped up play in the Faulkner Invitational falling to St. Thomas 3-1 and defeating Freed-Hardeman 3-0 Saturday afternoon.
 
"We had another opportunity to play some solid competition this weekend," said Head Coach Ronda Shirley. "It allowed us to work through a few new line ups and see some different faces on the court. I was pleased with how we approached the competitive tournament, and getting three sweeps in the process. A 3-1 record for the weekend is another successful weekend in my book."
 
In a closely contested first set, that saw neither team led by more than three points until later in the set, it was the Bobcats that managed to pull away for the 25-21 victory.  In the second set, the Lady Crusaders struggled offensively and defensively, allowing St. Thomas to take the set and the 2-0 lead.
 
WCU quickly shook off the second set loss and opened the third on a 4-0 run.  From there the Lady Crusaders maintained the lead until the Bobcats battled back to tie the set and then take a 17-15 lead.  From there both teams went back and forth and eventually needed to pass the 25 point mark to determine a winner. 
 
With the score tied at 29, The Lady Crusaders got back to back kills by Suelen Lima and Sofia Bettini to take the set and avoid the sweep.  However, St. Thomas came out quickly in the fourth set, building a 17-11 lead before going on to take the set and the match.
 
In their final match of the Faulkner Invitational, the Lady Crusaders left little to doubt, as they defeated Freed-Hardeman 3-0. 
 
The first set had both teams battling for control of the set with neither being able to early on.  However, later in the set the WCU offensive seized control to pull away to a 25-20 victory.  Carey carried that momentum into the second set with the offensive and defense firing on all cylinders, jumping out to an early lead and never looking back, winning the set 25-12. 
 
The third set returned to the battle from the first set with both teams looking for their opportunity to take control of the set.  Just as it looked as if WCU had control leading 20-15, the Lions attempted a comeback cutting the deficit to three on multiple occasions but the Lady Crusaders answered each time going on to take the set 25-22 and the match.
 
WCU is back in action Friday, August 30, as they head to Williamsburg, Ky. to take in the Cumberlands Invite where they will take on Union College at 12:00 pm and University of the Cumberlands at 6:30 pm.