Box Score
by Kevin Buczek
WILSON, N.C.-Defensive specialist Chris Prevatte made a career-high 18 digs on his Senior Day and sophomore outside hitter Zach McCalla broke his school-record with 21 kills to lead Barton College to a dramatic 3-2 (21-25, 25-19, 27-25, 15-25, 17-15) Conference Carolinas men's volleyball home victory over King College on Saturday afternoon in the Dog House.
The Bulldogs (3-18 Overall, 2-12 Conf.) second straight home win featured a match-ending kill by McCalla, who broke his single-match school record for kills by three spikes. The Tornado dissolved to 9-17 and 4-10.
Prevatte was honored before Saturday's contest as the Bulldogs lone senior with Barton concluding the home portion of its schedule. Prevatte was a two-year letter winner on the fledgling men's volleyball program and he delivered in his final home match with a career-high 18 digs. The Lumberton, N.C., products 18 digs was just one off the BC record 19 digs set by sophomore Nick Scalia earlier in the season.
Prevatte set the stage for an entertaining showdown with an assist on the opening play that was put away by sophomore setter Jordan Robison. King took over at 5-4 and slowly increased its lead to six at 20-14 before holding on for the opening win by four. Sophomore Stephen Brown served up three of the Tornado's six aces in the first-set triumph.
Barton was able to tie up the match in the second set. A service error by King at 7-7 gave the hosts the lead for the rest of the period. The Bulldogs raced out to a 13-7 lead with six straight points that included an incredible four consecutive blocks. Sophomore Ladislav Lelkes participated in the first three rejections before a solo block by junior Tyler Malpass finished off the stunning streak. BC maintained its advantage and rolled to the six-point win with the help of five kills by freshman Cameron Hudson and five digs by McCalla.
Brown's fourth ace of the match gave King a late 21-16 lead in the middle stanza before Barton fought back with a 7-2 run to tie the score at 23-23. The Bulldogs then served for set point twice at 24-23 after a King yellow card and 25-24 on a go-ahead blast by sophomore Tanner Medina but the Tornado survived both times to tie the set for a 13th and 14th time. A solo block by Lelkes then provided Barton with a third chance before a King hitting error ended the set in the Bulldogs favor at 27-25. McCalla had seven kills in the third.
The visitors forced a fifth set with its best set. King hit .229 and held Barton to a negative hitting percentage. Tied at 11-11 after a tandem block by Lelkes and Robison, the Tornado stormed away with 14-4 run.
Barton was 0-3 in matches that went the distance heading into its fourth 5-set match of the season but the Bulldogs did not let prior disappointment factor this time. BC quickly doubled up the Tornado12-6 in the race to 15 points before King made a stunning comeback. The Tornado went on an 8-1 rally to set up match point at 14-13. However, Hudson kept Barton alive with his 14th kill. Lelkes and Robison combined for another block to set up the Bulldogs first chance at match point but a ball handling error call knotted the score one last time at 15-15. Brown, who was attempting to serve up his fifth ace of the match, sailed the ensuing ball just long to give Barton a second chance to end the match. McCalla then launched his 21st spike to electrify the home crowd with the winning point.
The Bulldogs made a program-record 19 blocks. Lelkes led the front row defense with four solo blocks and five block assists. Medina followed Lelkes' program- record nine block performance with eight of his own (three solo, four block assists).
Four Barton players reached double figures in digs led by Prevatte's 18 scoops. McCalla lifted up 16 and Hudson and Malpass each made 10 digs. McCalla and Hudson each tallied their second double-double of the year.
Robison set up the Bulldogs offense that hit .164 with 45 assists.
The Tornado was led by Michael Koebel's 18 kills. Ned Parker made a match-high 23 digs for King.
Barton kept is slim playoff hopes alive with the victory. The Bulldogs will need to win their last two road matches and get some help in order to make the Conference Carolinas Tournament. Barton next visits Coker College in Hartsville, S.C., on Saturday at 1 p.m., before playing league undefeated Mount Olive College on April 2.
