SALISBURY, N.C. – The Catawba women's volleyball team fell to South Atlantic Conference (SAC) foe Newberry 3-1 on Saturday afternoon at Goodman Arena.
The Catawba Indians' attack was led by a player who recorded 13 kills on a .209 hitting percentage, 16 digs, a block and an ace. Rebekah Ayers was the most efficient Catawba Indian offensively with 12 kills on a .258 percentage, while her twin sister Maggie Ayers posted 11 kills to round out the double-digit scorers. Camden Bizot and Romey Gaeta set the table for them with 26 and 17 assists, respectively. Maddie Henning notched five block assists and Annica Kagle delivered four. Riley Hill led the team in digs with 18.
Catawba (8-5, 4-5 SAC) held its own in every major category, but Newberry (10-5, 3-5 SAC) had a slight edge in all. Kills were 52-51, aces 5-4, blocks 12-8, assists 48-47 and digs 74-68, with the Wolves holding the advantage in every department. The Catawba Indians hit .130 as a team while Newberry posted a .208 hitting percentage.
The Ayers twins scored five of the blue and white's first six points to give them an early 6-5 first-set advantage. The score was even at 17 apiece when Catawba went on a 4-0 run highlighted by a Gaeta ace and kills from Henning and Maggie Ayers. The Catawba Indians would fend off a Wolves comeback attempt with Madi McIlwain delivering the frame's final point to win the set 25-22 and post a match-best 17 kills on a .255 hitting percentage.
Rogers scored three consecutive Catawba points to even the second stanza at 4-4. The Wolves quickly pulled away, scoring on four aces and seven attack errors to win the second set 25-16 while evening the match.
Hill scored on an ace as Catawba led the third frame 3-0 before Newberry went on a 3-0 run to level the count. The SAC opponents traded points until the Wolves led 11-10. The visitors converted down the stretch, posting their match-best .243 hitting percentage and landing 15 kills as they took the third set 25-19.
The Catawba Indians, fighting to extend the match, led 10-6 after Jordan Duzenack checked in for the first time and delivered two kills. The Wolves climbed their way back and evened the score at 16-all. Newberry pulled away by scoring six of the next seven points and earned a road victory, taking the fourth set 25-20.
The Catawba Indians will begin a four-game road trip starting on Friday, Oct. 2, when they head to Emory & Henry at 7 p.m.
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