NEWS

With the final shot of the game, Anela Davis hit one that Fordham couldn’t handle.

DAVIDSON, N.C. – With their third consecutive 3-0 victory, the Davidson Wildcats are winners of nine straight sets and completed the weekend sweep over the Fordham Rams on Saturday.

The ‘Cats, now 16-6 overall and 10-1 in A-10 play, hit .230 while holding the visitors to a .149 attacking percentage in game two. Rookie Jackie Bardin paved the way with a match-high 13 kills, followed by 12 from Isabel Decker and 11 from Emma Slusser. Setters Xuan Nguyen (22 assists, 12 digs) and Jessie Doyal (17 assists, 11 digs) each recorded double-doubles in the victory, while Bella Brady picked up 14 digs and eight assists. Freshman Kayla Davis also had a stellar day, hitting a match-best .545 from the middle, with six kills on 11 swings.

Fordham jumped out to a strong start in the second meeting of the weekend, building to an 18-14 lead over the Wildcats in the first. After a service ace from senior Paige Johnson, the ‘Cats rallied into a scoring surge, going on an 11-4 run to come from behind and win the first 25-22. With a Decker kill to tie the game at 20-all, a monstrous kill from Kayla Davis put the set away for good.

Bardin and Slusser led Davidson through set two, as the rookies combined for four of the Wildcats’ first six points of the frame. After Bardin led the ‘Cats on an 8-0 service run, the Rams fell behind 11-3 but fought back and later came within four of Davidson, 17-13. Thanks to scrappy defense from Nguyen, Anela Davis and Sophia Hritz and a .306 attacking percentage from the ‘Cats, Davidson ultimately surpassed Fordham 25-16 in the second.

In the final set of the weekend, Davidson and Fordham exchanged points until Bardin and Anela Davis put the ‘Cats up 13-11 for their largest lead of the frame. The Rams continued to battle however, tying up the set at 21-all and eventually earning set-point with a 24-23 advantage. With their backs against the wall, and after a timeout, Davidson bounced back with three straight points from Bardin and Anela Davis to win the final set of the match, 26-24. 

Up Next
Davidson will prepare for a three-match week, beginning with a Tuesday night contest at VCU before heading to D.C. for a weekend series at George Washington on Friday and Saturday.