PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Stevenson women's volleyball team nearly upset 20th-ranked Carnegie Mellon before posting their sixth straight-sets win over Westminster (Pa.) at the Carnegie Mellon DoubleTree Invitational Friday evening at Skibo Gymnasium.
The Mustangs (12-4) dropped the opening match 12-25, 20-25, 25-19, 25-18, 11-15 against the host Tartans before rallying for a 25-12, 25-20, 25-17 victory versus the Titans.
For the second-straight match, the Mustang forced a fifth set after falling behind two sets but fell short of the upset. It was the first five-set loss in three tries this season and the first since Nov. 2, 2013. Prior to tonight, the team had won its last eight five-set matches.
Sophomore Annika Schwartz led the way with 14 kills and 12 digs while classmate Deanna Bradbury recorded 24 digs. Bradbury has totaled at least 20 digs in three of the last six matches. Meanwhile, senior Kara Anderson and juniors Sara Bollinger and Kristen Brooks combined for 38 digs.
Molly Hiiggins led Carnegie Mellon (16-1) with a match-high 30 digs.
Neither team hit well as the Tartans recorded a .110 attack percentage compared to .095 for Stevenson, but the teams combined for 191 digs and 24 total blocks. Senior Kelly McKenzie finished with six block assists and one solo.
Against Westminster (4-13), sophomore Lauren Weaver led the way with a match-high 10 kills as the Titans hit just -.031. The Mustangs totaled nine service aces, including four by Bradbury and two by Anderson.
Stevenson returns to action on Saturday, September 26 when the Mustangs face Case Western Reserve and No. 25 Mount Union on day two of the Carnegie Mellon DoubleTree Invitational. Opening match is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
