Coker Pulls Out Five-Set Victory

HARTSVILLE, SC – Coker had to dig deep in order to pull out an amazing five-set victory over visiting Newberry College Tuesday night in women’s collegiate volleyball.  The Cobras defeated NC 30-24, 31-33, 25-30, 30-20, 15-11.  CC improves to 4-1 on the year, while the Indians fall to 4-4 overall.

In the first set the Cobras used a pair of five point rallies to get back in the game early and put Newberry away late.  CC trailed 8-3 but came back to grab a 9-8 lead and it was nip-tuck for much of the set.  Then, leading 18-17, Coker rattled off five more in a row for a 23-17 lead and some breathing room.  Sophomore Courtney Barton/Irmo, SC came up big in the set with several rally-killing blocks and a team-best four kills

Game two went back and forth but the CC appeared to take control with a three-point burst to grab a 22-20 lead.  The Cobras began to show cracks in the armor when Newberry scored five consecutive points to regain a 25-24 lead. Coker rallied again and led 29-27, but the Indians staved off four set points and took the dramatic set 33-31.

Stunned by the second set turn around, Coker didn’t look sharp when they returned to the court, eventually falling behind 20-16.  Their passing was never crisp in the set and, despite a run to pull within two at 25-23, CC fell 30-24.

Head Coach Chuck Mullen lit a fire under his squad between sets and the Cobras played much more efficiently in game four.  CC jumped out to a 5-1 lead and continued to pound away offensively, grabbing a 21-14 lead.  Newberry showed their fighting spirit again, however, and pulled back to get within three at 23-20.  With the Coker faithful getting antsy, sophomore setter Tara Nelson/Rochester Hills, MI erased any doubts by serving her team to victory with six-consecutive points and the 30-20 win.

Every player brought their best effort to the deciding fifth set but the Cobras found a little something extra to pull it out.  Coker led 8-7 when the teams switched sides and grabbed the first two point advantage at 11-9.  An exhilarating rally gave CC a 12-10 lead and a block by Barton made it 13-10.  With momentum firmly in their grasp the Cobras pulled out the match 15-11.

Coker had an incredible night blocking with 42 total blocks.  Freshman Margaret Madison/Savannah, GA backed up her selection as CVAC Player of the Week with a team-best 11.5, and Barton was a force with 9.5.  Barton turned in her best match overall at Coker with 18 kills and Madison added 10 kills, two assists and an ace.  Classmate Megan Haupt/Summerville, SC contributed 17 kills and seven digs, and junior Andrea Manuel/Spartanburg, SC finished with nine kills, 13 digs, three aces and four blocks.  Nelson guided the CC attack with 55 assists in addition to eight kills, eighteen digs, and nine blocks. 

The Cobras head back to conference action this Friday, September 17, when they travel to Pfeiffer University for a 6:30 match. 

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