Albany, Georgia-Despite being without the services of six players due to injury, including Preseason All-SIAC selection
Saldy Amparo Smith, team captain
Caytlin Willis, and the team's leader in assists in freshman
Mataiya Barber, the EWU women's volleyball squad made a good account of themselves at the SIAC Mini Crossover on Saturday at Albany State's HPER Arena. Edward Waters dropped their first SIAC match of the season in a 3-0 sweep at the hands of defending conference champion Spring Hill, but responded in a big way with a 3-0 sweep of their own over Tuskegee.
MATCH #1: Spring Hill 3, Edward Waters 0 (19-25, 23-25, 21-25):
The first challenge for the Purple & Orange was a battle against 3x and defending SIAC Champions, the Badgers of Spring Hill College. The final score of the match was far from an indicator on how the game was played as it was a back-and-forth affair throughout the match.
In the first set, the Lady Tigers and Badgers traded salvos, ultimately going to an 8-8 tie. From there, the Badgers went on a 6-0 run to push their lead to 14-8 and rode that momentum to a 25-19 win to take a 1-0 lead. In Set #2, Edward Waters pushed the Badgers to the brink and came within an eyelash of tying the contest. The Lady Tigers led 21-18, but once again, Spring Hill was not to be denied as they closed the gap and overtook EWU to win 25-23 to lead the match 2-0. Set #3 saw the Lady Tigers go down in an 8-2 hole to start the proceedings, but ultimately rally back to close the gap to as close as 9-7. However, it was not enough as SHC closed things out to win 25-21 and earn a hard fought sweep of EWU.
Edward Waters posted a respectable .151 hitting percentage with 34 kills in the match, while Spring Hill showed their championship mettle and resilience with a .244 hitting percentage and 45 kills.
Fatima Ramirez led the Lady Tigers with 17 total kills, including one service ace, and two blocks.
Naomy Vergez Varona chipped in with eight total kills, including one service ace, and
Catherine Richards finished with five total kills and one block.
Katarina Ribar dished out 22 assists for Edward Waters, while
Andrea Diaz Merced finished just short of the match high in digs with 13.
MATCH #2: Edward Waters 3, Tuskegee 0 (25-9, 25-12, 25-14):
For the second consecutive weekend, Edward Waters and Tuskegee renewed acquaintances on the volleyball court. Last weekend, the two squared off at the Auburn Montgomery Warhawk Invitational. As was the case last weekend, Edward Waters made quick work of the Golden Tigers, earning a sweep in three games and a split of the days action.
The Lady Tiger attack was potent, powerful, and left no room for any success for the Golden Tigers. For the match, Edward Waters posted a robust .329 hitting percentage, while also recording 33 kills, eight service aces, seven blocks, 31 assists, and 41 total digs. Tuskegee was held to a miniscule -.032 hitting percentage in the contest.
Leading the way once again for the Purple & Orange was
Fatima Ramirez who recorded her first double-double effort of the season with 13 kills and 12 digs, both match highs.
Naomy Vergez Varona finished with seven kills, while
Morgan Billingsley turned in an early season high five kills for Edward Waters.
Audrianna Jones and
Katarina Ribar led the way for EWU in blocks with three apiece, while
Catherine Richards finished with two. Ribar again led the Lady Tigers in assists with a match high 24.
Edward Waters will continue their road trip next Friday and Saturday at the SIAC Crossover in Cartersville, Georgia, where the East Division schools will do battle against the West Division. The Lady Tigers will face Miles. and Lemoyne-Owen on Friday, then will draw Central State, Kentucky State, and head coach
Dr. Brandon Reeves' alma mater, Lane College on Saturday.
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