Box Score by Kevin Buczek
WILSON, N.C.-Junior outside hitter Kati Wood (Pasadena, Md.) posted an impressive 21-kill, 20-dig double-double for host Barton College in a 3-2 (25-14, 20-25, 25-23, 20-25, 15-13) Conference Carolinas loss to North Greenville University on Friday night in the Dog House.
The Crusaders improved to 14-16 overall and 4-10 in the conference by hitting .227. The Lady Bulldogs, wearing an assortment of pink gear as the team participated in its Dig Pink night, slipped to 9-13 and 5-9.
Wood's totals were both season-highs as she posted the 20-20 match, her sixth double-double of the year. Freshman Melissa Cochran (Knightdale, N.C.) followed Wood offensively with 18 kills.
The marathon match featured several season-highs for the Bulldogs as freshman libero Amanda Grandy (Rolesville, N.C.) lifted up a season-best 27 digs and freshman setter Meka Hoover (Seagrove, N.C.) had a season-high 47 assists. Senior Meredith Thompson (Henderson, N.C.) added a season-best 15 digs. Freshman Skye Square (Manassas, Va.) chipped in with a team-best four block assists.
The well-rested Bulldogs showed some rust in the first set falling behind 13-5 and North Greenville took advantage rolling to the 11-point win. The Crusaders hits .371 in the first frame while the Bulldogs were held to just .026. Sophomore Rebekah Mayes (Ashland, Ky.) led NGU with seven kills.
Barton responded in the second stanza leading for majority of play. The Bulldogs had the Crusaders doubled up at 16-8 before holding on for a five-point win to deadlock the match at 1-up. BC did not have a block in the first set but did a much better job with 6.0 team blocks in the second set.
The two teams traded the third and fourth sets by matching 25-20 scores. NGU held a narrow 14-17 lead in the third before taking control with four consecutive points. In the fourth, Barton slowly pulled away before forcing the decisive fifth.
Both clubs kept fighting in the final race to 15 with the score tied nine times including the last time at 13-13. Mayes put away the match with a pair of spikes on the next two plays as she finished with a match-high 23 kills.
Mayes hit .305 while Kaitlyn Pierce had 17 kills and Kendra Meek added a 12-kill, 15-dig double-double. Abigail Frame reached the 50-assist club with 52 sets and 17 digs. Kaitlyn Harris tallied a team-high 26 digs and Megan Evans led all blockers with five block assists.
Barton departs Wilson early in the morning for its first Conference Carolinas road trip to Bristol, Tenn., to battle the other league newcomer King College on Saturday at 3 p.m.
