ELKINS, W.Va. – Davis & Elkins volleyball took an early lead in the match and used a big surge in the fourth set to collect a 3-1 victory over Charleston (W.Va.) on Tuesday night inside the McDonnell Center.
Davis & Elkins (4-1) took the match in set scores of 25-22, 25-20, 16-25 and 25-9 and capped the season sweep against Charleston (1-4).
Macie Magallon led the charge with 17 kills, six digs and two block assists for the Senators.
Molly Jandris posted eight kills and 10 digs and
Maria Isabel Butruce Candiota had seven kills and four service aces, which included a long stretch at the service line as D&E surged ahead in the fourth set.
Brilane Manchego passed out 34 assists and notched seven digs from her setter position.
UC received 11 kills from Rachel Phalen, while Briauna Pauley posted 16 digs. Paige Jutte added eight kills and a pair of digs for the Golden Eagles.
UC opened the first set with an 8-4 lead before the Senators answered with a 5-2 run. Another scoring run, one that saw D&E post seven of eight points, included kills from Magallon and one from
Luann O'Kane to move the hosts in front 23-20.
Mya Mintschenko capped the first set with a kill to lift the Senators ahead, 1-0, in the match.
An ace from Manchego and kills from Magallon and Jandris keyed an early surge to move the Senators to a 5-1 lead to start the second set. Four consecutive points expanded the D&E edge to 13-5 in the second frame and and big swing from Jandris made it 16-6.
UC responded with a 6-0 run of its own, but the Golden Eagles could not close the margin as D&E moved ahead 2-0 in the match.
The Golden Eagles took control from the start in the third set, looking to avoid a sweep. The Senators closed the gap to just two at 11-9 and 12-10 and kept things close before UC answered with an 8-1 spurt for a 23-15 edge.
The Golden Eagles took a 4-0 lead to start the fourth set, ultimately stretching the lead to 7-3. The Senators roared back with 18 consecutive points with Candiota at the service line to put things out of reach at 12-7.
All four of Candiota's aces came during the fourth set run and the Senators added six kills in the flurry. D&E also scored the final four points of the match to cap the 3-1 win.
Davis & Elkins held a 10-5 edge in blocks, but the rest of the team stats were nearly even.
Davis & Elkins is back home for a doubleheader with Glenville State on Saturday, February 27, beginning at 1:00 PM.
