SPORTS

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Davidson volleyball rallied to take the final two sets in a thrilling five-set affair against cross-county rival Charlotte Tuesday night at Belk Arena.

With the win Davidson improves to 3-1, while with the loss Charlotte falls to 2-3 overall. The set scores for the Wildcats went as follows; 23-25, 26-24, 13-25, 25-10, 15-11.

Following a back-and-forth first two frames that saw each side win by two, the 49ers came out firing in the third to claim an easy 25-13 victory powered by Molly Shaw’s five kills and .417 hitting percentage.

Davidson regained momentum early in the fourth, jumping out to a 13-5 lead. The ‘Cats cruised to the easy set win behind seven kills from Ciera Cockrell and a four kill, three block frame from Ellie Crosley.

The ‘Cats needed all of their early 9-3 set five advantage as the 49ers chipped away to bring it back within three, 14-11, but a game deciding block from Crosley and Mason Rooney sealed the victory.

Cockrell finished with a match-high 23 kills on .266 hitting, while Crosley recorded 14 kills ane a .565 hitting percentage. Rooney also registered double digit kills (10) to go with 30 assists, while Sydney Champaigne added 29. Wildcats libero Josie Treadwell and Elise Edman each made 19 digs in the winning effort.

The Wildcats return to the court Friday, August 31 for the opening day of the Appalachian State Invitational. Davidson faces off against the host Mountaineers at 7:30 p.m. from Boone, N.C.