WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Carolina University Women's Volleyball returned to Williams Gymnasium on Tuesday, September 22, looking to build momentum after a 1-1 weekend at Salem College. Facing a Livingstone College squad that entered the night with an 8-1 record, the Bruins responded to an early deficit and earned an impressive four-set victory, 25-27, 31-29, 25-20, 25-13. The win improved Carolina to 10-8 overall, while Livingstone fell to 8-2.
The opening two sets provided plenty of drama. Livingstone edged Carolina 27-25 in the first set, but the Bruins answered in an extended second set. With neither side willing to give ground, Carolina eventually prevailed 31-29 to even the match at one set apiece.
From there, the Bruins began to take control. Carolina captured the third set 25-20 before delivering its strongest offensive performance of the night in the fourth. The Bruins recorded 14 kills with only three attack errors on 29 attempts, hitting .379 in the decisive frame on the way to a commanding 25-13 victory.
Carolina finished the match with 46 kills, 43 assists, 14 service aces, seven blocks and 70 digs. The Bruins' pressure from the service line proved especially significant, as Carolina held a 14-5 advantage in aces.
SarahElizabeth Samuels led the Carolina attack with 12 kills and added a block, while Britney Comolli contributed 11 kills while hitting .269. Melia Coleman was highly efficient, recording eight kills on 13 attempts for a team-best .462 hitting percentage. Madison Kilgore added eight kills, nine digs and two blocks, while Kennedy Dobard finished with five kills and two blocks.
The Bruins also received a major contribution from Valeria Suarez, who recorded eight service aces and 10 digs. Syvannah Poore directed the offense with a team-high 27 assists and added eight digs and three aces, while Charlee Hale anchored the back row with a match-high 28 digs.
"I was proud of the way our team responded tonight," Head Coach Chelsea Jones said. "Livingstone came in with a very strong record and challenged us right away. After dropping that first set, our team stayed composed, continued to compete and got stronger as the match went on. Our energy and execution in the fourth set showed what this group is capable of when we play together."
Carolina University will return to action on Saturday, September 26, when the Bruins travel to Guilford College for a tri-match. Carolina will face Shenandoah University at 1 p.m. before taking on host Guilford College at 3 p.m.
