MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The William Carey University Lady Crusaders overcame a slow start Thursday morning to earn a 3-1 victory over Xavier University in pool play action of the SSAC Championship at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl.
Carey opened the match strong, racing out to an early 10-4 advantage in the first set. However, the Gold Nuggets battled back, using a 6-1 run to cut the deficit to 12-11. The Lady Crusaders responded by building a 19-15 lead, but Xavier continued to chip away, eventually taking a 21-19 advantage. The Gold Nuggets capitalized on the momentum, closing out the set with a 25-22 victory.
The second set featured a back-and-forth battle, with neither team able to establish a significant lead. With Xavier holding a slim 13-11 advantage, William Carey shifted the momentum with a dominant 10-2 run fueled by four kills and two blocks to take a 21-15 lead. The Gold Nuggets responded, rallying to tie the set at 22-22. This time, however, the Lady Crusaders held firm.
Alejandra Villarreal delivered a kill and a service ace to put Carey at set point, before Maurin sealed the 25-23 victory with a kill to even the match at one set apiece.
William Carey carried that momentum into the third set. After the teams traded points early, the Lady Crusaders used a 6-0 run to create separation and take a 14-7 lead. Carey maintained its offensive pressure, extending the advantage to 19-14 before closing out the set with a 25-17 win to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
The Lady Crusaders delivered their most dominant performance of the match in the fourth set. Carey opened with a 5-1 run before Xavier briefly responded, trimming the deficit to 6-5. William Carey quickly regained control, unleashing an 11-4 run to pull away for good. The Lady Crusaders continued to dictate the pace, cruising to a 25-13 victory and securing the 3-1 match win.
William Carey returns to action Friday as pool play continues against Point University. First serve is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl.
