Box Score by Kevin Buczek
MISENHEIMER, N.C.-A pair of combined blocks by junior Brittany Edwards and sophomore Kaitlyn Micol highlighted a 6-2 finishing flurry by Barton College in a dramatic 3-2 Conference Carolinas women's volleyball victory over host Pfeiffer University Saturday afternoon in Merner Gym.
Edwards and Micol's second block was on match point in the 25-19, 21-25, 25-15, 17-25, 15-11 road triumph. Barton improved to 4-9 overall and 2-2 in the league.
The Falcons trailed after the first and third sets but rallied both times rallied to tie the match in search of their first win. However, Pfeiffer committed four errors over the decisive final eight points in falling to 0-13 and 0-6.
Barton received strong performances throughout its lineup. Sophomore Shae Schmidt posted a team-high 14 kills while adding 10 digs for her first double-double in a Royal Blue and White uniform.
Senior Melissa Cochran led the Lady Bulldogs with 18.5 points (13 kills, 5 block assists, 2 solo blocks and one aces) and was followed closely by Micol with 16 points (12 kills, 6 block assists, 1 solo block).
Senior libero Amanda Grandy and freshman setter Riley Bane also had strong performances from the specialist positions. Grandy had team-high sums of 23 digs and three aces while Bane notched her third double-double with 43 assists and 17 digs.
Barton took its first set lead winning 15 of its first 25 points on the kill with Schmidt smashing five, Cochran crushing four and Micol and freshman Courtney Wiseman each adding three spikes.
The second set was tied late at 21 apiece before Pfeiffer tied the match with the final four points. A trio of Falcons each put down a kill to move the hosts to set point before a BC hitting error evened the contest at 1-1.
Barton regained the lead winning the third set hitting a hot .357 but Pfeiffer responded with its own betting hitting frame in the fourth firing at a .333 clip.
The two teams were deadlocked at 9-all in the shortened final set before Schmidt's 14th kill put the Lady Bulldogs ahead for good at 10-9. Barton went on to win five straight points to pull within match point with the run including the first block by Micol and Edwards; an ace served up by Bane; and a kill by Micol. Pfeiffer kept its hopes alive with the next two points before Micol and Edwards ended the match with their next rejection.
The Bulldogs improved to 2-0 in five-set matches.
Kelsey Blauser and Shenelle Charlot had big outings in Pfeiffer's best match of the season with 16 and 15 kills, respectively.
Barton next hosts University of Mount Olive on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
