Friday, November 21, 2003

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- College of Charleston used a balanced offensive attack, led by All-Southern Conference picks Alisa Long and Stephanie Ballard, as the Cougars took a three-game sweep over East Tennessee State (30-28, 30-23, 30-22) Friday afternoon in the first round of the Southern Conference Volleyball Championships played at UTC's Maclellan Gym. The Cougars advance to Saturday's semifinals at 7 p.m. against the UTC-Furman winner. The Cougars (27-5) distributed most of their offense among four players - Long's 15 kills, Ballard's 14 kills and 11 from Sara Davis and 10 by Rebecca Wieters. Marie Dobrenz led the defense with 12 digs and Ballard added 11. Kaycie Carr did the setting and picked up 52 set assists. In the opening game, College of Charleston led virtually the entire game and held off the Bucs' hopes for a late rally. Long picked up six kills and the Cougars hit .292 as a team. ETSU's Sara Scandiffio (Purcellville, Va.) picked up six kills. A balanced offense among Long, Davis, Ballard and Wieters provided the impetus for CofC's game-two win, and Ballard added six digs. CofC hit a sizzling .390 at the net in the final game and Long picked up five kills. ETSU (9-22) also had balance on the front line with Jennifer Sartor (Toronto, Canada) and Kate Steidle (Waynesboro, Va.) both getting nine kills. Lissa Allen (Palm Bay, Fla.) and Scandiffio both had eight kills. Natalie Pittenger (Gaston, Ind.) picked up 11 digs, while Kristi Robinson (Knoxville, Tenn.) added 10 to go with 37 set assists.