NEWS

 

WILMINGTON, N.C. – The Davidson Wildcats bounced back in a big way on Saturday, taking down UNC Wilmington and Virginia Tech in a pair of 3-1 matches on day two of the Seahawk Volleyball Classic.

Davidson’s win over Virginia Tech marked the program’s first ever win over the Hokies in the fifth all-time meeting between the two programs. With the pair of victories, Wildcats Sola Omonije and Isabel Decker were honored with All-Tournament recognition.

Davidson vs. UNCW
Junior libero Bella Brady matched her career-high with 36 digs, while Isabel Decker led the offense with 17 kills. Freshman outside Jackie Bardinhad another strong outing with 12 kills, and classmates Kayla Davis and Emma Slusser added six and five kills, respectively. Setters Jessie Doyaland Xuan Nguyen combined for 43 assists, and senior Anela Davis had a match-high six blocks.

The ‘Cats dropped set one, 25-22, after a back and forth start. Decker opened up the match with a monstrous nine kills on 13 attempts (.538) and put Davidson within two of the Seahawks at 22-20 before UNCW closed out the set with back-to-back kills.

Despite trailing from the start of set two, Davidson kept it a one-point game with a solo block from Bardin and a kill from the middle by Anela Davis. The ‘Cats finally tied up the frame after a Sola Omonije kill, 15-15, and rattled off a three-point run backed by Kayla Davis to take their first lead of the day. Wilmington fought back and settled the score at 19-all, but Davidson rookies Bardin and Slusser sealed the deal with a pair of kills to win the set, 25-21.

The Wildcats’ offense ignited in the final two sets, as they combined for 27 kills, swinging .303 and .237, respectively, to secure their first victory of the year.

Davidson vs. Virginia Tech
In match two, Decker led the ‘Cats with a 12-kill performance, while Omonije and Kayla Davis tallied five blocks. Rookies Slusser and Bardin had nine and seven kills, respectively, and senior Anela Davis added seven kills of her own to go with four blocks.

The Wildcats jumped out strong against the Hokies, pulling away to a 20-12 lead in set one and closing the door with a 25-16 victory after a pair of kills from Slusser and an Anela Davis service ace. Virginia Tech then turned the tides on Davidson in the second, winning a 25-16 set of their own, before the Wildcats’ offense exploded in the third set.

With the match settled 1-1, Slusser started off the third frame with another one of her nine kills of the match, while Bardin rattled off two of her to build a 10-5 lead for Davidson. Sophia Hritz then led the ‘Cats on a 4-0 run from the service line to put the set out of reach and seal the 25-14 victory. In the third, the Wildcats also compiled a .391 attacking percentage, with 11 kills and just two errors to shut down the Hokies.

In the fourth and final set of the day, the Wildcats strung together 12 kills and hit .276 at the net, while the Davidson defense held the Hokies to a .000 attacking percentage (10 kills, 10 errors, 31 attempts) to clinch the ACC victory.

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Davidson will return home next weekend for its very own Wildcat Classic, hosting NC A&T, Lindenwood and New Mexico State in the annual tournament.