October 13, 2005

BELMONT, NC—Belmont Abbey pulled out a five-set victory (29-31, 30-28, 30-22, 21-30, 15-5) over visiting St. Andrews Presbyterian College Thursday night in Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference volleyball action in the Abbey Center. 

With the win the Crusaders improved to 10-6 overall and 8-5 in the CVAC, while St. Andrews, who has dropped four matches that have gone the distance, fell to 1-18 overall and 1-11 in the conference.

The Abbey never looked in sync until the fifth set, when they dominated behind the serving of Sarah Halligan (Yuma, AZ).  BAC dropped the first set 31-29 after leading 29-27, but bounced back for a 30-28 victory in game two. The Crusaders appeared to be headed in the right direction in a 30-22 third game win but the Knights closed game four with a flourish to win 30-21. In the deciding fifth game, Halligan started the serving and had five aces to help BAC build a quick lead which they would not relinquish.

Halligan finished the night with 34 kills, eight aces, and 18 digs to lead the way. Clarissa Stull (Dallas, NC) added eight kills with zero hitting errors, and Monica Halligan (Yuma, AZ) contributed 31 digs. Mallory Adkins (Penhook, VA) handled the setting duties and finished with 41 assists.

Junior setter Kim Harper (Boca Raton, FL) led the Knights with a triple-double posting 43 assists, 22 digs, and 10 kills. Junior Jesi Bewley (Cincinnati, OH) ripped a team-high 24 kills along with 22 digs and five solo blocks. Junior Lauren McManus (Raleigh, NC) had 19 digs and 16 kills while sophomore Erin Haugen (Ft. Mills, SC) scooped up 33 digs. Sophomore Jackie Cromer (Greensboro, NC) had a .500 hitting percentage on her four hitting attempts and freshman Dani Ghramm (Hayden, ID) added 11 kills, eight digs and three aces.

St. Andrews hosts CVAC rival Pfeiffer University on Saturday at Noon in Harris Court.