Clayton's Career Match Carries Bulldogs Past A-Sun Rival Campbell
September 29, 2007 | Volleyball
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Sophomore Jessica Clayton powered home a career-high 18 kills, helping the Gardner-Webb volleyball team knock off A-Sun rival Campbell by a 3-1 score (30-20, 30-26, 25-30, 30-26) Saturday afternoon in Paul Porter Arena.
With the win, GWU improves to 9-10 overall and 1-2 in A-Sun competition. The Camels fall to 6-12 on the year and remain winless at 0-3 in conference play.
Four players recorded double figures in kills for the Bulldogs. Leading the way was junior Heidi Steinebrunner, who notched a match-best 19. To go along with Clayton's 18, senior Ashley Pridgeon posted 14 while junior Bethany Martin chipped in 11.
Sophomore Regina Feagin recorded the fourth-most assists in a single match in school history with 62, just two off her career best that she set and tied last season.
Senior Audra Harrison notched a match-high 19 digs, four of which came in a long rally that the Bulldogs eventually won. Junior Katie Matykowski reached double figures with 11 digs.
Behind the end-line, Feagin, Steinebrunner, Matykowski and freshman Carrie Long each had three aces apiece while Pridgeon and Harrison accounted both had one en route to the 14 the squad comprised.
GWU came out on fire in the first game, posting a 6-1 advantage. The Bulldogs doubled up the Camels at 24-12 as Clayton slammed home a kill between two defenders. GWU took its largest lead at 27-14 on a kill by Harrison as the team easily closed out the first game.
The Bulldogs were in a battle in game two, taking an early 10-7 lead on an ace by Steinebrunner. However, Campbell came back and took a two-point lead at 19-17 on an ace by Ashley Weers. An error by the visitors knotted the game at 20-20, which sparked a 5-0 run by head coach Chris Phillips' team. The Camels pulled within one at 25-24, but Pridgeon's kill put the Bulldogs back on track en route to the 30-26 win.
It looked as though GWU would close out the Camels in three games as the Red and Black jumped out to a 7-1 lead in game three behind Long's three aces. Campbell tied the game at 10-10 on a service ace, but a block of Femi Alabi by Martin and Long put the Bulldogs ahead by one. GWU stayed ahead until Emily Werner's back-to-back kills gave the Camels a lead they would not relinquish. Campbell outscored the Bulldogs 10-3 over the final 13 points to force a game four.
With momentum on the visitors' side, Campbell came out and attacked early in game four, notching an 8-1 lead. Phillips gathered the troops and the team responded splendidly, going on a 9-4 spurt to pull within three on a kill by Steinebrunner.
As the teams traded points, it looked as though Campbell would be able to sustain a lead – no matter how small – over GWU.
In similar fashion to last year's match that the Bulldogs won in five at Campbell, something fueled the fire. Down 21-17, Clayton powered home a pass from Feagin to pull within three. She then stuffed Alabi, getting the Bulldogs closer. Steinebrunner's serve was too much for Sarah Hill, making the score 21-20 in favor of Campbell.
The teams traded points, with GWU's coming from Pridgeon. Martin and Pridgeon's outstretched arms blocked Caroline Hammersley, finally tying the game. Matykowski sliced the defense with one of her aces for a one-point lead.
After a point by Campbell, Harrison took a pass from Feagin to regain the lead. At 25-24, a service error by the Camel's gave GWU a two-point lead, which it would not relinquish. Up 28-26, Hammersley recorded two straight attack errors to give the Bulldogs the victory.
GWU will look to notch its 10th win of the season on Tuesday as
it steps out of conference and travels to High Point for a 7 p.m.
match.
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