Tigers Force (RV) Blue Raiders to Lengthy Three Sets in Mid-South Opener

COLUMBIA, Ky. – The Georgetown College volleyball team (2-8, 0-1 MSC) began Mid-South Conference play by falling to (RV) Lindsey Wilson University (13-3, 1-0 MSC) in the Biggers Sports Center on Thursday evening.

The Blue Raiders defeated the Tigers in straight sets, winning 25-17, 25-15, 38-36.

The Tigers had played in just one other extended set this season, a 26-14 win over Goshen on 8-29.

Last season, the Tigers only played in one extended set all year, falling 26-24 in the third to Freed-Hardeman on 10-25-24.

Two seasons ago, during the 23-24 year, Georgetown played in a total of 14 extended sets, which was also the last time a match reached 30 points or higher. The Tigers beat Olivet Nazarene in the third set 30-28 on 10-14-23.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Out of the gate, the Blue Raiders flexed their muscles. The first four points of the match were service aces, and the Tigers did not earn their first point of the night until a service error. Falling into a 7-1 hole early, the Tigers fought back and got it to as close as 16-15, but could never pull ahead in the opener. A 6-1 run ended things, 25-17 for Lindsey Wilson. 

After securing the first point of the second, the Tigers were quickly behind the eight ball. Staring at a 5-1 deficit, they pulled within two at 6-4 before a quick 4-0 run forced head coach Felicia Page to call her first timeout. Trailing just by two again at 13-11, the Blue Raiders closed out the second to gain control of the match behind a 12-4 run, winning 25-15.

The third set featured offsetting runs to start. After LWU grabbed the first three points, GC rallied off the next six. Then, the next five points were the Blue Raiders, making it an 8-6 game. The difference in the set, though, came with the Tigers leading 16-14. A 6-0 spurt gave the hosts a seemingly comfortable 20-16 advantage. Facing match point, down 24-19, the Tigers had other plans. Rattling off five straight points to extend the match at 24-24, the Tigers then survived a season-high nine set and match points, but ultimately fell 38-36 after an attacking error.

THE TEAM
Georgetown hit .104 as a squad, with LWU earning a .216 mark. The Tigers had 33 kills and 30 assists. Georgetown produced eight blocks and five service aces with 53 digs.

THE PLAYERS
* Maria Alves produced a team-high nine kills with a dig and a block assist.

* Giara Ferrari added six kills to go with five digs and a service ace.

* Faith Miller just missed another double-double with 18 assists and eight digs.
UP NEXT
The Tigers conclude their three-game week with a matchup against Indiana Southeast (8-1, 2-0 RSC) on Saturday, September 20. First serve against the Grenadiers is set for 1:00 p.m. in the IU Southeast Activities Building.