Todd Ryals

HISTORY MADE

10/27/2017 9:41:00 PM

By: LC Sports Information - Brad Welborn

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

After falling just short in their first ever five-set match last week, the Louisiana College women's volleyball team was finally able to reach the promised land on Saturday night in Memphis, Tenn. Despite losing the first match of the day to the host of the Blues City Invite, Rhodes College, the Wildcats found their stride against Mississippi University for Women in a four-set win. The final point coming on a kill from the team's only senior, Taylor Payne. LC will end their inaugural season Saturday afternoon with a match against Fontbonne University.

In the first match of the day, the Wildcats and Lynx were evenly matched through the first 16 points, with the teams tied at eight. Rhodes would find their stride at that point and go on a 7-0 run to take control of the set. Another 7-1 stretch just a few moments later put the first set squarely in the Lynx corner at 23-12, which they finished on a kill and an LC attack error.

The second set with Rhodes was tight until the very end, and even appeared to be falling in the Wildcats favor as they took a 16-15 lead on an ace by Taylor Payne. The set was tied at 18 a few minutes later, but the Lynx experience prevailed as they closed the set with a 7-1 run that was aided by three Wildcat attack errors.

The final set began just as the first two did with both teams locked in a stalemate as the set was tied once again at eight. A 6-0 run by Rhodes at that point gave them the lead and the edge in the match. The Wildcats worked their way back to a close as five, but once again Rhodes, thanks to some help from LC errors, finished the set and the match with a 25-16 final.

During the short break before the final match of the day against Mississippi University for Women, Wildcats head coach Brittany Salloum gathered her team in an attempt to reset their focus as they prepared to play another program in their first season of competition.

"We felt confident early that this was a winnable match for us," Salloum said. "Rhodes was a team we should have been closer to and they played flat and were frustrated. You could tell they were motivated to come out and make a statement against Mississippi. I told them they need to treat every match like we're playing the number one team and not to go in over confident because that's how you lose."

With the Wildcats trailing 5-4 early, LC went on a 10-2 run that included two aces from Zharian Maxmillion and kills from almost every player on the court for the Wildcats. Enjoying a comfortable 22-11 lead after another service ace, the Wildcats saw MUW score four straight points to seize some late momentum. A kill from Paris Babino stopped the run and gave the Wildcats the serve back on their side. Maxmillion got her third ace of the set and an Owl error ended the first in the Wildcats favor 25-15.

The second set and third sets were the most tightly contested of the entire day for the Wildcats, both ending in a 25-23 scoreline. For the first time this season though, it would be LC that would have the upper hand after two sets as they took the first of the middle frames to go ahead 2-0 in the match. LC was able to overcome eight errors and and a match low .122 hitting percentage to take the second set. Sadi Jones and Jaslyn Bright combined for eight kills in the set.

With just one set separating them from the first win the Wildcats felt the pressure that had been building all year to finally get into the win column. The set was tied at 22 when an attack error and a MUW kill put them one point from preventing the sweep. Bright made it 24-23 with a kill but the Owls finished the set with a kill of their own to extend the match to one more set.

"We made a couple personnel changes in the second and third sets and they did well for the most part," Salloum said. "Got to put in a couple girls that haven't played all year long and they got a couple digs and made some good passes, but the errors and mistakes that have hurt us all year started to come up again. Nine of their points were off our errors and it's very difficult to win like that."

The Owls carried their set win momentum into the fourth by scoring the first three points on an ace and two kills. The Wildcats came back with a fury and scored six of the next seven points to take a 6-4 lead. LC was able to keep MUW just out of reach over the next few points, until they found their stride once again. An 8-2 run in the middle of the set, highlighted by back-to-back aces from Olivia Huval, and a solo block from Taylor Payne, put LC in the driver's seat at 20-12. Two kills and a sixth ace from Maxmillion set the Wildcats up for the historic final point to win the match. Off the set from Paris Babino, Taylor Payne leapt into the air and drilled her a shot at the back line that fell under the outstretched arms of the Owl defender.

"It was kind of surreal," Salloum said. "It was like I was watching form somewhere else. I was excited of course, but also relieved at the same time. It took us a long time to win, and I know they felt pressure to succeed. They're the first one's paving the way for the program and now they've done what hasn't been done before. It's no longer a matter of can we win. We just needed the door to open. Hopefully now that they know how to win together, they can do something fancy tomorrow in our last match."

Both Jaslyn Bright and Sadi Jones finished the match with 15 kills for the Wildcats, thanks in large part to 36 assists from Paris Babino. Olivia Huval, Taylor Payne, and Babino all had double-digit digs in the match and Zharian Maxmillion set the new season high with six service aces.

The Wildcats close out their first season in program history on Saturday afternoon at 2pm with a match against Fontbonne University. Live coverage of the match will be provided by Rhodes College via stats and video (charges do apply). Stay connected to Louisiana College volleyball by following @LC_wvolleyball on Twitter and liking them on Facebook.

Print Friendly Version