NEWS
Volleyball Wins College of Charleston Invitational
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Davidson volleyball completed its perfect weekend in stellar fashion on Saturday afternoon, sweeping West Virginia in three-straight sets for its first win over a Big 12 opponent in program history.
The win puts the Wildcats at 3-0 after their first weekend of the season and deemed the ‘Cats tournament champions. Sophomore Anna Withee was named Tournament MVP, recording 11 kills off 12 attempts in the final match of the weekend, while Emma Slusser and Xuan Nguyen were also named to the All-Tournament Team.
“The team was dialed from our departure on Thursday,” said head coach Chris Willis. “They are on a mission to be the very best they can be. We saw contributions from many players and different people executed up at key moments. This is an unselfish team that plays with joy. I can’t wait to see what else we can accomplish.”
Outside hitters Elena Garcia-Guerrios and Jackie Bardin helped the offensive attack, recording nine and eight kills, respectively, while Slusser hit .462 (7 kills, 13 attempts). Overall, the Wildcats hit a season-high .345 against the Mountaineers and combined for six service aces.
After trailing 7-6 in the first set, Kayla Davis created separation for the Wildcats with a six-point run from the end line while Jessie Doyal and Bardin connected to close out the frame with a 25-21 victory.
The Mountaineers paced Davidson early on in the second set, leading the ‘Cats 12-10, before Bardin recorded four kills during a 7-2 run that put Davidson back in front for good to take a 2-0 match lead.
In the third and final set, the Wildcats’ front line dominated, swinging .468 with 14 kills on 23 swings.
Friday Summary
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Wildcats defeated College of Charleston for the first time in 23 years on Friday night, after downing Le Moyne College in three-straight sets for an opening day sweep.
Game 1 – Davidson 3 | Le Moyne 0
Davidson swept Le Moyne College in its opening match of the 2023 season on Friday afternoon and awaits its second game of the day with the College of Charleston at 7 p.m.
The Wildcats hit .295 at the net and were led by freshman Elena Garcia-Guerrios, who swung .500 (7 kills, 12 attempts, 1 error) in her collegiate debut. Senior Sola Omonije also connected for four kills on six swings, while reigning Rookie of the Year Emma Slusser totaled a match-best eight kills.
After a 5-3 start to set one, Anna Withee and Jackie Bardin combined for three kills to push the ‘Cats ahead by seven, 10-3. While the Dolphins closed in on the ‘Cats, 12-8, Kayla Davis and Slusser helped pull away with three-straight strikes to eventually win the first, 25-15.
Davidson’s dominance was on full display in set two, as sophomore Jordan Hummel served the ‘Cats to a 4-1 start followed by an 18-0 run, with Bella Brady at the service line, to secure the second set in a commanding 25-2 fashion.
The Wildcats hit a game-high .189 in the third to close out the sweep, as Jan Marie Duhaylungsod (15) and Jessie Doyal (21) led the Davidson offense with 36 assists.
Game 2 – Davidson 3 | College of Charleston 1
Despite dropping set one, 25-15, the ‘Cats bounced back to sweep the Cougars in three consecutive frames to pull out their first victory over Charleston since 2000.
Davidson narrowly edged out the Cougars at the net, hitting .278 overall while Charleston swung .264. Slusser led the Wildcats with 16 kills while Davis was solid at the service line for the second-straight contest, serving three aces and notching six blocks. Brady picked up 17 digs while freshman Garcia-Guerrios continued to stand out with 11 kills and 15 digs.
The ‘Cats hit a match-best .289 during the second and fourth sets, downing the Cougars 25-21 in each game, while winning set three 26-24 thanks to a back-to-back block and kill from Omonije.
Up Next
The ‘Cats will return to Davidson for their home opener on Friday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. during the Wildcat Classic. Queens, Northern Illinois and UNC Wilmington will also be competing in Davidson’s annual preseason tournament.