Raleigh, NC -- William Peace University Volleyball fell to Averett University 3-2 in their first match of the season. The first four sets proved to be a back-and-forth contest, with Averett clinching the final set to take the win over the Pacers.

THE BASICS

• Final score: William Peace 2 , Averett 3
• Records: William Peace (0-1), Averett (1-1)
• Location: Raleigh, NC

HOW IT HAPPENED

Set One (25-15)

The Pacers would get the first point of the game with a kill from Brienna Laskowski. The Pacers would continue to dominate the first set with a kill from Brienna Laskowski getting the Pacers to the 20 point mark first making the score 20-13. The Cougars would only get to score two more points before another kill from Laskowski would finish off the first set making the score 25-15.

Set Two (22-25)

The Cougars got the second set started with 2 quick points to take an early lead with a kill by Sarah Shropshire and a service ace from McKenzie Miller making the score 2-0. The Pacers would fight back forcing the Cougars to give up points off of service errors, but the Cougars would not let off of the gas. A service ace from Myka Patterson would give them an 11-7 lead. A Pacer service ace from Logan Moore would close the gap to just 3 points making the score 17-14. Morgan Barnes would finish off the set for the Cougars with a kill before the Pacers had a chance to come back making the final score of the set 25-22 and tying the game 1-1.

Set Three (25-20)

Both teams would remain evenly matched for the first part of the third set. The Pacers would then go on a 6-point run over the Cougars to make the score 12-67. The Cougars would find the gaps in between the Pacers defense as Lanie Ouzts would bring the gap to 19-17. An attack error from Lauren Montren would be the final thing the pacers needed to take home the third set over the Cougars making the score 2-1 and a set score of 25-20.

Set Four (25-20)

The Cougars would get out to an early 10-3 lead, with a kill by Hannah Collier cutting the gap to 10-4. Averett would continue to hold the edge over the Pacers, but kills from Brittany Carpenter and Kelsey Bierbaueber would bring the Pacers within three as they trailed 15-12. The Cougars would then go on a 4-point run to lead 19-12, with the Pacers then going on their own 4-point run as they trailed 19-16. The Cougars would clinch the set 25-21 on a kill by Lanie Ouzts.

Set Five (15-11)

Averett would pull the momentum from the fourth set to take a big 8-1 lead over the Pacers, with kills coming from Lauren Montren and Morgan Barnes. A kill by Landis Limon would cut the lead to 11-3, with the Pacers going on a 4-point run with kills by Brittany Carpenter, Shelby Cooper, and Nancy Gamewell as they trailed 14-11. Averett would take the final point of the set to win the game 3-2.

PACER TOP PERFORMERS

• Brienna Laskowski led the Pacers with 21 kills while also adding 13 digs.
• Brittany Carpenter recorded 36 assists.

FOR THE FOES

• Morgan Barnes led the Cougars with 16 kills, while Lauren Montren tallied 15.
• McKenzie Miller tallied 56 assists.

STATS OF THE GAME

• The Pacers tallied 11 aces in comparison to the Cougars' 4.
• WPU recorded 13 blocks.

NEXT GAME
The Pacers will travel to Fayetteville, NC to face Methodist University, on Saturday, March 6th. The first serve is set for 12pm, so keep up with the Pacers on GoPeacePacers.com!

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