GRACEVILLE, Fla. – The William Carey volleyball team battled past Baptist University of Florida in a five-set thriller Tuesday afternoon, defeating the Eagles 3-2.
The Crusaders got off to a slow start, falling behind 8-3 in the opening set before rallying to even the score at 10-10. Baptist University of Florida responded with an 11-4 run to regain control and never looked back, claiming the set 25-17.
William Carey bounced back in the second set, opening with an 11-5 advantage. The Eagles trimmed the deficit to three points several times, with their final push making it 16-13. The Crusaders answered with a decisive 5-0 run to take control and secure a 25-19 victory, evening the match at one set apiece.
The momentum carried into the third set as Carey raced out to an 11-1 lead. The Crusaders dominated from start to finish, continuing their offensive surge on the way to a commanding 25-7 win and a 2-1 lead in the match.
William Carey opened the fourth set with four consecutive points, but the Eagles responded with a 7-1 run to take a 7-5 advantage. Baptist University of Florida maintained a narrow lead for much of the set until three straight kills from
Hadley Soutiere and Rachell Stegall helped tie the score at 16-16. The teams traded points throughout the remainder of the set, eventually reaching a 23-23 deadlock. The Eagles managed to stave off defeat by scoring the final two points, taking the set 25-23 and forcing a deciding fifth set.
The Crusaders quickly regrouped and followed a familiar script in the fifth, jumping out to a 7-2 lead. That early cushion proved more than enough as Carey controlled the set the rest of the way, closing out the match with a 15-9 victory.
William Carey returns to action Friday, Sept. 25, when it hosts Life University in SSAC play. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Ben Waddle Complex.
