Box Score by Cory Guinn
WILSON, N.C. – The top two teams in the Conference Carolinas North Division squared off on Friday night with Barton College earning a 3-1 victory over Belmont Abbey College to move into first place in the standings.
Barton (11-8, 6-3) used a balanced offensive attack and strong defensive play to defeat the Crusaders (11-8, 5-3) for the second time this season. The Lady Bulldogs had three players total double-digit kills and four players record double-digit digs in the winning effort.
Freshman Hayley Marshburn turned in a 12-kill, 10-dig performance for her third double-double of the season. Sophomore Stephanie Pingyin also recorded a double-double with 12 kills and 12 digs, while junior Mariana Kedzia had 12 kills, eight digs, four total blocks and two service aces.
Sophomore Laura Peed led the Lady Bulldogs with 15 digs in the match as freshman Angelica Acevedo finished with 38 assists and 12 digs for her third straight double-double. Sophomore Courtney Wiseman chipped in three blocks and two service aces of her own, while freshman Alexandra Cullens totaled five blocks to lead all players.
Barton began the first set with momentum as the BC lead grew to 6-2 before Belmont Abbey battled back to tie the match at eight points a piece. The two teams played to seven more ties in the set as the Lady Bulldog defense forced the Crusaders to a .000 hitting percentage en route to a 25-19 victory.
In the second set of play, Barton and Belmont Abbey continued to play close with the Crusaders taking a 23-19 lead late in the set. After a timeout from Barton head coach Jeff Lennox, Kedzia, Marshburn and Pingyin led the Lady Bulldogs to six straight points for a come-from-behind 25-23 win and two-set lead.
Belmont Abbey adjusted between sets and hit .359 as a team in the third set of play. Hannah Schellenberg led the Crusaders with seven kills, five digs and two service aces in a 25-13 set three victory to force a fourth set of play. Schellenberg finished the match with 20 kills and 18 digs to lead all players.
The Crusaders' positive play carried over to the fourth set as Belmont Abbey built an early 7-1 lead. Barton continued to fight back, eventually forcing a 17-17 tie and taking the lead on a block from Kedzia and Wiseman. The Abbey and Barton played to a 23-23 tied before a Crusader attack error and service ace from Wiseman ended the set at 25-23 to give BC the match win.
Barton will host Pfeiffer University tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the fourth game of a five-game homestand in Wilson Gymnasium.
