Lady Pioneers win home opener in five-set thriller

September 14, 2021

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

PARAGOULD, Ark. – Crowley's Ridge women's volleyball hosted their first match in the newly renovated Carter Activities Center on Tuesday. That friendlier hardwood proved invaluable as the Lady 'Neers bested the Central Baptist (Ark.) College Mustangs in a five-set thriller, (24-26, 25-21, 16-25, 25-18, 15-12).

Crowley's Ridge (2-5) forced 11 errors from the Mustang offense to keep the set close. It was not until the final few rallies that Central Baptist (2-2) was able to take the opening set in extras 26-24.

The second set saw the squads knotted up at 16-16, but with Emi Elms at the service line, the Lady Pioneers rattled off eight unanswered points to spark a lead that would stay with the green and black. A 10-kill set by CRC helped to tie the match at one set apiece with CRC winning the second 25-21.

A set of runs by both teams saw the third set begin with an 8-1 advantage for the Mustangs. Quickly the Lady 'Neers answered with a run of their own to eventually tie the set at 14-14. The momentum would shift the Mustangs' way at the end to give CBC the 2-1 set advantage by winning the third 25-16.

Not willing to give up their home opener so easily, Kaitlyn Perkins started the fourth set by stepping to the serving line and collecting three aces in four swings. That shot in arm pushed Crowley's Ridge to win the fourth set 25-18 to force a fifth and deciding set.

Crowley's Ridge took a 5-1 lead early that never vanished. The Mustangs were able to tie the fifth set at 10-10, but Kills from four of the CRC hitters put the match in the books in favor of the gals in green with a 15-12 victory.

Two Lady 'Neers found double-digits with Olivia Deckelman and Elms each collecting 10 kills. Five Lady Pioneers had double-digit digs led by libero Perkins' 43. Elms proved an immovable force at the net, with five solo blocks and two assisted blocks.

UP NEXT

Crowley's Ridge will look to continue their winning ways by hitting the road again in two days' time. A visit to St. Louis, Missouri is on the schedule with a match against Harris-Stowe State (Mo.) University beginning at 6 pm on Thursday, September 16.