Brenau Comes Up Short in Tri-Match

October 23, 2011

CENTRAL, Sc - The Golden Tigers volleyball team traveled to compete in Southern Wesleyan University's tri-match event, yesterday afternoon. Brenau fell to the Southern Wesleyan Warriors in an intense conference match, 28-30, 25-21, 25-22, 18-25, and 7-15.

The Warriors improved to a 21-9 overall record (7-6 in SSAC), while the Golden Tigers updated their overall record to 12-13 (3-8 in SSAC). SWU currently ranks 3rd in the East Division of the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC), with Brenau trailing behind in 4th.

For the duration of the match, the Golden Tigers battled for every point. Junior outside hitter, Melissa Thornton (Woodstock, GA) led the team with an impressive 18 kills, along with 2 service aces, 18 digs, and a single stuff block. Alexis Arthur (Aiken, SC) recorded 13 kills, 1 service ace, 11 digs, and 1 solo block. Danelle Russell (Cartersville, GA) earned 9 kills and 14 digs, while Rachel Adam (Athens, GA) totaled 4 kills, 1 dig, and 3 blocks.

Kerry Abernathy (Celebration, FL) had a solid game, from the setting position; she earned 8 kills, 18 assists, 1 service ace, 9 digs, and an assisted block. As for Mekenna Cipres (Murrieta, CA), she set the offense up with 28 assists, 3 kills, 2 service aces, and 5 digs.

Directly following, Brenau faced off against North Greenville University, for the second match of the day. The Crusaders rallied against the Golden Tigers, and defeated them in 5 sets. The scores were 25-21, 24-26, 27-25, 9-25, and 11-15. Brenau finished the tri-match with an overall record of 12-14, while North Greenville posted a 12-15 overall record.

Danelle Russell was bringing the heat from the outside, while playing against the Crusaders. She led the offense with 14 kills, along with 1 service ace, 6 digs, and 2 stuff blocks. Alexis Arthur was not far behind her, recording 12 kills, 2 assists, 11 digs, and 1 block. Rachel Adam, middle blocker, had a great game, earning 11 kills, 1 dig, and 7 blocks.

Mekenna Cipres contributed greatly, with 7 kills, 24 assists, 9 digs, and 4 blocks. Melissa Thornton collected 6 kills, 2 assists, 14 digs, and 1 block, while Kerry Abernathy earned 3 kills, 21 assists, and 11 digs.

Brenau's volleyball team is scheduled to play their next match on Thursday, October 27th, when they host Emmanuel College. The game will begin at 7pm.