Pioneers Wrap Up CAC Classic

Pioneers Wrap Up CAC Classic- Wil Teague, Sports Information Director, 10/8/22

The CAC Classic wrapped up this evening, completing its six game tournament series in the Carter Activity Center. Crowley's Ridge competed in two matchups for the day. Match one the Pioneers faced the Fighting Indians of Haskell University and in match two,the Lady Pioneers suited up against Florida College. Looking to grab their first win of the tournament after being defeated the day before by Iowa Wesleyan, CRC would fall short losing 3 sets to 1 against Haskell. In their second matchup the Pioneers wouldn't find what they were looking for as they faced a stout Falcon attack from Florida College. CRC would lose in three straight sets and end the CAC Classic winless.  Sets went as follows: (22-25 Haskell, 25-22 CRC, 21-25 Haskell, and 21-25 Haskell. ) ( 8-25 Florida College, 18-25 Florida College, and 24-26 Florida College.)

Game One

CRC - 1

Haskell - 3

Set one, CRC would struggle to find rhythm on offense. They would fall behind early, allowing the Indians to jump ahead with a 7-0 run to kick off the matchup before Sophomore Alexis Weirich would end the run with a kill. Jr. Brooklynn Passmore would rally two kills to cut the deficit to 16-10. Haskell refused to be denied the set and would produce 7 kills late to take the set 25-22.

Set two, The Pioneer offense would strike early and continually. Juniors Brooklyn Passmore and Emi Elms along with Sophomores Paige Glenn and  Alexis Weirich would find paydirt and  land one  kill each to tie the set 6-6. Throughout the set the Pioneer defense would step up to the challenge and would provide every opportunity for the Pioneer offense to attack. Jr. Hannah Halverson would gather 7 digs this set along with Freshman Kinley Matlock who would produce a whopping 14 digs set the offense up for success. CRC's offense would take  advantage of this and produced its best kill effort of the matchup with 12kills. CRC would go on a 8-0 run late in the match to come from behind and win set two 25-22.

Set three, Haskell University would rally. The match was a stalemate until about midway through when Haskell found their second wind. The Fighting Indians started pulling away from the Pioneers with a score of 17-13. With the gap growing larger once again, the CRC defense stepped up. Freshman Kinley Matlock would almost top set two with adding an additional 13 digs this set to her total on the night. Then, Crowley's Ridge Sophomore Paige Glenn would place the green and black back on top with a kill making the score 20-19. As much as the momentum seemed to change sides, Haskell would rally a late kill chain. This would be the downfall to the Lady Pioneers as Haskell would take set three 25-21.

Now trailing two sets to one the Pioneers were again in a must win set. Haskell would not hand out any freebies knowing they had the momentum. CRC would tie the game 8-8 before Haskell would bust a gap in the score. Before long Haskell was ahead with a score of 17-13. Kills from Jr. Hannah Halverson and Sophomore Paige Glenn would give the Pioneers hope, but it would not be enough as the Pioneers were defeated in set three 25-21. 

Leaders: 

Alexis Weirich led in kills (9), Jadyn Hesse led in assists (32), Kinley Matlock led in digs (39) followed by Hannah Halverson (22)

Game two

CRC - 0

Florida College - 3

Set one the Pioneers would not be able to get energy or momentum on their side. CRC would be met at the net by a stout Falcon defense. CRC would call a timeout trialing 11-4. When play resumed the Falcons kept the attack going and with no CRC answer, Florida College took set one 25-8.

Set two the Pioneers would wake up. Even with a Florida College lead early on the Pioneers rallied and with a service ace from Jr. Heather Conaway, the "Neers would then find themselves in a one point set trailing 14-13. As hard as the Pioneers fought, they would not be able to gain the lead and the Falcons would take set two 25-18.

Set three, the Pioneers would save their best for last. With Florida College up 17-13 the Lady Pioneers found their second breath with Freshman Brianna South starting things with a late set kill. Jr. Hannahh Halverson would follow up with an ace bringing life back to the Pioneer bench. Sophomore Paige Glenn would find the holes in the Falcons defense to tie the set 20-20 before Sophomore Alexis Weirich would find the hardwood, taking the lead for the first time 21-20 over Florida College. CRC would extend its lead forcing a Florida College timeout. When play resumed the Falcons seemed to have schemed as they quickly tied the game 24-24. CRC would be unable to stop the falcon attack, as they would end the match with two kills defeating CRC 26-24. 

Leaders:

Hannah Halverson led in kills (6). Jadyn Hesse led in assists (16).Kinkley Matlock led in digs (13).

Up Next:

The Lady Pioneers Host the Eagles of WBU at home on Tuesday, October 11th at 6:00pm