Box Score
by Kevin Buczek
WILSON, N.C.-Freshman outside hitter Zach McCalla ripped a season-high eight kills with a .400 hitting percentage for host Barton College in a 25-14, 25-15, 25-10 Conference Carolinas men's volleyball loss to Limestone College on Saturday afternoon in Wilson Gym.
The Saints (4-2 Overall, 1-0 Conf.) began league play with a win after firing at a .377 rate. The Bulldogs (0-6, 0-3) did much better offensively than recent matches hitting .052.
Limestone – the Conference Carolinas leaders in blocking – had 9.0 team blocks including six block assists by junior Derek Daley. Sophomore Andrew Miller led the Saints with a match-high nine kills. Junior Andrew Pile chipped team-highs of 16 assists, seven digs and three aces to go along with five spikes.
McCalla stuffed away his eight kills on 15 swings and only had two misfires. Sophomore outside hitter Alx Draughan added six kills and four digs. Freshman setter Jordan Robison tallied a match-high 20 assists and also lifted up four digs.
Barton started on fire winning the first two points of the match and continued to lead 4-3 on a McCalla spike. Limestone answered with a 12-4 run to pull away for the 11-point win.
The Saints never trailed in the final two sets hitting .545 in the second and .300 in the third to complete the sweep. Limestone won the first six points of the final frame including a trio of aces by Pile to end any threat of a comeback by Barton.
Barton freshman T.J. Daley and LC junior Derek Daley matched each other evenly with four kills apiece in a battle of brothers.
Limestone dominated the service game with eight aces and only four errors compared to just two aces and 11 errors by the Bulldogs.
Barton will play the middle tilt of its five match home stand on Sunday when the Bulldogs entertain league foe Lees-McRae College at 3 p.m.
