Danville, VA -- The William Peace University volleyball team won the Averett Cougar Classic on Saturday, August 31st, adding two more wins to improve to a 3-0 record early in the season. The Pacers defeated Bob Jones University in game one 3-1, before sweeping Roanoke College 3-0 to win the tournament.
GAME ONE:
Bob Jones University jumped out to an early 4-2 lead in set one. A kill by junior Brienna Laskowski would tie it up 5-5. A few consecutive points by senior Mya Parks and Brienna Laskowki would give WPU a 13-11 lead before the Bruins tied the set 14-14. Junior Brittany Carpenter's service ace would bring the Pacers a late 21-18 lead. Brienna Laskowski and senior Sarah Scott ended set one for WPU 25-22.
Set two began with the Bruins taking another early 4-3 lead. Kills by juniors Abby Benton and Brianna Davis moved the Pacers ahead by a score of 6-5. WPU would take a 12-7 lead on a kill from Mya Parks before Bob Jones fought back to trail 12-10. A service ace by Abby Benton gave the Pacers a 19-14 lead, and WPU would allow the Bruins just two more points as Sarah Scott clinched the set 25-16.
In the third set, the Pacers would struggle a bit as the Bruins took a controlling 7-2 lead. Bob Jones would tally 5 in a row to lead WPU 12-4. The Pacers were unable to recover and would lose the set 25-15.
WPU would seize an early 6-1 lead for the first time in set four with points from Mya Parks and Brienna Laskowski. The Pacers led for the rest of the set, with kills from Mya Parks and freshman Shelby Cooper giving WPU a 15-9 advantage. Even with a late push from the Bruins, the Pacers were able to win the set 25-18 on a kill from Abby Benton, earning them a 3-1 victory.
GAME TWO:
The Maroons would get out to an early 3-0 lead in the first set. A block by Brianna Davis would bring WPU within one to trail 4-3. Shelby Cooper would tie it up 6-6 with a kill, and the Pacers would take their first lead shortly after with a kill by Brianna Davis. The Maroons would grab 6 points in a row to lead 14-8. The Pacers battled back to get three in a row, with Abby Benton and Jasmine Smith bringing WPU back within one. The Pacers would then take a 19-17 lead over the Maroons, and go on to win the set 25-19 on a kill by Mya Parks
In set two, WPU would take an early 7-3 lead over Roanoke on blocks from Brienna Laskowski and Jasmine Smith. Roanoke fought back with 5 consecutive points to trail 10-9, however the Pacers would lead for the rest of the set. WPU took a commanding lead near the end of the set to win 25-19, winning on a kill by Shelby Cooper.
The third and final set would see WPU take another early 7-2 lead with points from Brienna Laskowski and junior Bergin Gillespie. The Maroons would bring it back within three to trail 10-7, but kills from Brianna Davis and Mya Parks would keep the Pacers in the lead. A few successive points by Mya Parks would keep the Pacers ahead by a prominent score of 17-10. WPU would continue with a comfortable lead, winning the set 25-15 on a kill by Shelby Cooper to clinch the game 3-0.
THE BREAKDOWN:
- Mya Parks was selected as tournament MVP, while Abby Benton was named All-Tournament.
- Brienna Laskowski led the team in game two with 11 kills and 14 points.
- Jasmine Smith and Brienna Laskowksi each recorded 6 blocks in game two.
- Sarah Scott led the team in game one with 22 assists and game two with 23 assists.
THE FOES:
- Brooke Beaver led the Bruins with 10 kills and 11 points.
- Saleena Walker recorded 29 digs for Bob Jones University.
- Parker Moody had 12 kills and 12.5 points for the Maroons.
- Kennedy Clemmer led Roanoke with 24 digs.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Pacers head back on the road for the Wildcat Invitational in Denver, CO. They will face Marian University, Rockford University, and Lewis & Clark College in three games through September 6th & 7th.
For the latest news and updates from William Peace University Athletics, please visit: gopeacepacers.com , Facebook , or follow the Pacers on Instagram and Twitter at @gopeacepacers.
