Box Score by Cory Guinn
WILSON, N.C. – Freshman Hayley Marshburn recorded her second straight double-double and third of the season but the Barton College women's volleyball team fell in straight sets to North Greenville University 3-0 on Saturday afternoon in Wilson Gymnasium.
Marshburn totaled 11 kills with a .281 hitting percentage and a match-high 14 digs for Barton (5-8, 1-3), while sophomore Stephanie Pingyin led the team with 13 kills and notched her fourth double-double of the season with 11 digs.
North Greenville (9-5, 4-1) got out to an early 3-0 lead in the first set before Barton was able to tie the set at four points apiece. A 6-2 run gave the Crusaders a four-point led as the Lady Bulldogs battled all the way back to tie the set at 20-20 late.
The two teams played to seven more ties in the closing moments of the set as North Greenville earned a 29-27 victory on kills by Sara Miller and Kenzie Pierce. Pierce led all players with 15 kills and .636 hitting percentage for the Crusaders.
Barton and North Greenville played to 13 total ties in the second set with neither team able to gain an advantage of more than two until a kill from Pierce put NGU ahead 23-20. The Lady Bulldogs closed within one point on a kill from Pingyin and a Crusader attacking, but an attack error by the BC offense gave North Greenville the 25-23 win and 2-0 lead in the match.
The Crusaders were able to control the third and final set from start to finish, thanks in large part to a .545 hitting percentage and just two errors in the frame, en route to a 25-16 victory and straight-set win.
Barton was able to hit .242 as a team but committed five service return errors compared to just one by North Greenville, leading to the defeat.
The Royal Blue and White will host non-conference opponent Coker College on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 7p.m. in Wilson Gymnasium.
