MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – The Barton women's volleyball team (9-15) saw its season come to an end with a 3-2 loss to Belmont Abbey (10-21) Saturday afternoon in the opening round of the 2021 Conference Carolinas Championship at Kornegay Arena on the campus of the University of Mount Olive.
The Crusaders won by scores of 20-25, 30-28, 25-16, 16-25 and 16-14 to advance to play the host school, Mount Olive, later in the day. The third-seeded Trojans (15-13) defeated the Crusaders by a 3-2 score as well and will take on second-seeded Emmanuel Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., in Franklin Springs, Ga.
Belmont Abbey, the third seed in the league's East Division, was led by Mia Samaha (Augusta, Ga.) with 15 kills while Baylea Botello (Midlothian, Va.) added 13 kills in the victory.
Barton was paced by junior outside hitter
Allison Gambill (Taylorsville, N.C.) with a match-high 23 kills in addition to 15 digs and freshman libero
Brooke Clute (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) with 35 digs in the losing effort. The Bulldogs were also hurt by 11 service errors in falling in five sets for the second straight match.
Barton and Belmont Abbey were meeting for the third time this season with the Crusaders holding a 2-1 edge over the Bulldogs.
