Four Lady Pioneers Tally Double-Doubles in Five-Set Loss to PSU

Four Lady Pioneers Tally Double-Doubles in Five-Set Loss to PSU- Wil Teague, Sports Information Director, 10/10/24

Crowley's Ridge College hosted the Lady Panthers of Philander Smith University tonight in the Carter Activities Center. Tonight's matchup would go for five sets with the Lady Pioneers claiming the first two sets before having the victory rug swiped out from beneath their feet as the Lady Panthers pulled the reverse card, sweeping CRC in the final three sets. The Lady Pioneers now sit 5-7 on the year. Sets went as follows: 25-17 CRC, 27-25 CRC, 17-25 PSU, 20-25 PSU, and 11-15 PSU. 

Paragould, Ark. – Facing a 13-5 Lady Panther team,  CRC came out guns blazing with the Pioneers winning the opening set by a gap of eight points. CRC served up 5 service aces this set and led by as many as eleven before ending the set with a kill from Alyssa Dirden. The second set played out a little differently as CRC struggled to maintain the lead cover PSU. On two occasions CRC was forced to burn a timeout as they trailed the Lady Panthers by a difference of four points. Luckily for Pioneer fans, the second time around, CRC's offense linked together critical last-minute points to tie the Panthers 24-24, forcing extra frames. Thanks to Alyssa Dirden delivering two service aces and Brooklyn Cross coming through with two big kills the Lady Pioneers would sneak out the extra frame win. In the third set, Philander Smith University would avoid the set sweep by defeating CRC 25-17. The Panthers produced a midset run which created a small separation in the scoreboard before bursting through with a set-finishing 7-1 run. After dropping set three, the Pioneers still had cushion on their side but with a rough start in the fourth set, PSU quickly capitalized, taking a 7-1 lead over CRC. Madelyn Burris and Hannah Halverson brought the set within two, 9-11, as the two combined for a 4-0 run forcing PSU to stop the contest. When play continued, Dirden would land a kill to bring the score within one but regretfully, that's as close as CRC would get. PSU maintained their composure and with CRC botching three services in a row, the Panthers would even the set score. In the short and decisive fifth set, CRC would once more play from behind but gave a glimpse of hope with an explosive 3-0 run to reclaim the lead and be the first team to 8 points. Painfully, the Lady Panthers wouldn't be shaken as they responded with a 4-0 run to reclaim the lead which helped take the game-winning fifth set. 

In tonight's contest, four Lady Pioneers posted double-doubles. Senior Hannah Halverson led the offense with 12 kills and 24 digs, freshman Alyssa Dirden followed Halverson with 11 kills 17 digs, and 5 service aces, senior Jadyn Hesse ended the evening with 26 assists and 14 digs, and freshman Madelyn Burris totaled 11 assists and 17 digs. Among CRC's kill leaders was also Brooklyn Cross as the sophomore posted her fourth consecutive double-digit kill performance ending the night with 11 kills and 3 blocks. Lastly, sophomore Mallory Hollis led the team in digs with 25. 

Up Next: CRC will hit the road to McKenzie, TN where they will take on Bethel University this Saturday at 1:00 PM. #GOPIONEERS