Dalton Christopher
Assistant Athletic Director - Communications & Media
dchristopher@transy.edu


MOUNT BERRY, GA - Transylvania University has won their fifth consecutive match, defeating Piedmont and Mount Berry on Friday. 

The Pioneers opened the first set against Piedmont with a quick 7-0 run, a lead they would never lose in the first set. After a score from Piedmont, the Pioneers went on their longest scoring run of the season, firing off 16 straight points, to take a 23-1 lead. Lilly Kaiser would score the final kill of the set, with Transy winning 25-2. 

In the second set the Pioneers continued their impressive offensive performance, opening with an 11-3 run. A kill by Maggie Harrison would kickstart another run from Transy, with the Pioneers scoring eight straight. A kill from Grace Ward gave Transy a commanding 20-5 lead, the Pioneers would close the set with a 25-7 score.

In the deciding set, Transy would continue their performance, opening with a 10-0 start. Piedmont would mount a response run, with a 6-0 run to battle back into the set. The two teams would exchange points before a 6-0 Transy run put the set out of reach at 21-10. Transy would win set three 25-10, taking the 3-0 sweep. 

Head Coach Amy Barmore was pleased with her team's performance, especially with several Pioneers getting into rotation. 

"We had the opportunity to play other people and they stepped up well," Barmore said. "It was a fun match and we were able to stay focused to continue our success. Kayden Holcomb hit .556 and led us in kills. We hit .349 as a team and executed well."

Following the victory, Transy would take on Berry, host of this weekend's invitational.

In set one, the Pioneers would continue their hot scoring, opening on a 6-0 run, three of those points coming off kills from Cate Scheper. Berry would respond, and a competitive back and forth would begin, with each team unable to build a lead. A kill from Isabella Myers would give Transy their largest lead of the set at 18-13, but Berry would respond with a run of their own. Isabella Myers would score the final two points for Transy, as the Pioneers would take the opening set 25-20.

The second set would nearly mirror the first, with both teams mounting small runs, and responding with small runs, neither taking a commanding lead. A kill from Addie Atcher would give Transy a 10-7 lead early, with Berry responding and taking a 14-13 lead moments later. After tying things up at 18-18, the Pioneers would mount a run, taking a 23-18 lead late in the set. Berry would respond, scoring three of the next four points for the set, but Transy would finish the set with a 25-21 victory. 

In the deciding set, Transy opened on a 14-6 run to take a commanding lead early. The offensive performance wouldn't slow down, as the Pioneers would score eight of the next nine serves to take a 22-8 lead. They would close the set with a 25-10 victory, giving them their second sweep of the afternoonm and their fifth straight win overall. 

"The second match of the night was a big match," Barmore said. "We maintained our focus all day long and made some big plays. It was a great atmosphere in the Cage Center but we keep our minds on what was important. We took each moment and grew together as a team. Isabella Myers led us with 12 kills hitting .440 and right behind her was Kayden Holcomb with 9 kills hitting .600 and 2 aces. Grace Ward averaged 11 assists per set and Mason morrow stepped up tonight in a big way!"

The Pioneers return for their third and final match of the weekend at Berry, taking on Oglethorpe at 1:00 p.m.

Transylvania University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the HCAC. To keep up to date with all of Transylvania Athletics, check out our website at www.transysports.com and follow @TransySports on Instagram.