TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Stillman College volleyball team opened the home slate in a big way with a 3-1 win over United States Sports University (25-19, 25-20, 16-25, 25-19) on Friday night in Birthright Alumni Hall.
The Tigers improved to 2-4 with the victory, closing the match with their strongest stretch after allowing United States Sports University to take control of the third set.
Stillman came out aggressively in the opening set, jumping to an 11-1 lead behind service pressure and early defensive plays. USSU answered with a 13-8 run to cut the deficit to 19-18, but Stillman regained control.
Eva Stewart delivered a kill,
Karen White followed with an ace and
Ava Cameron added a kill as the Tigers closed the set, 25-19.
The second set was tighter. The Tigers led 8-4 before USSU pulled even at 13-13. The Tigers responded with a 7-3 run to take a 20-16 lead.
Keslyn Myers-Pittman added a kill and an ace during the late push, and
Shelby Morris closed the set with an ace and an Eagles attack error for a 25-20 victory.
USSU avoided the sweep by taking the third set. Stillman opened with a 6-1 lead, but the visitors scored nine consecutive points to take a 10-6 advantage. The Tigers pulled within 21-16 late, but the Eagles scored the final four points to win 25-16.
Stillman answered immediately in the fourth. The Tigers fell behind 7-2 before rallying to tie the set at 10-10. Cameron's service ace put Stillman ahead 13-12, and Stewart followed with an ace as the Tigers stretched the lead to 17-13. Stillman maintained control from there, closing the match on a Morris block and a USSU attack error, 25-19.
Cameron led Stillman with seven kills, two aces and four total blocks. Stewart finished with five kills, one ace, four block assists and four digs.
Brianna Moore added five kills, while Myers-Pittman contributed two kills and three aces.
Conley directed the Tigers' offense with 12 assists and added four blocks. Morris contributed 13 digs and four aces, while White had nine digs and three aces. As a team, Stillman recorded 28 kills, 13 service aces and 23 total blocks.
Stillman hit .093 for the match and held USSU to a .016 hitting percentage. The Tigers also won the blocking battle 23-7.
The Tigers return to action Tuesday on the road with a trip to face NCAA Division II opponent Tuskegee University on Sept. 8 at 6 p.m.
