CHARLESTON – Charleston Southern volleyball battled Cal State Fullerton for five sets on Friday night inside the Buccaneer Fieldhouse, but the Titans rallied to earn a 3-2 (22-25, 28-26, 15-25, 25-20, 15-12) victory over the Bucs on Day Two of the Playa Bowls Invitational.
The Buccaneers moved to 5-4 on the season with the loss, while Cal State Fullerton improved to 4-4. Charleston Southern took the first and third sets and held a 2-1 advantage before the Titans fought back to force a decisive fifth frame.
The Bucs came out strong in the opening set, hitting .425 with 17 kills and no attack errors. Cal State Fullerton kept the second set close, eventually edging Charleston Southern, 28-26, in an extended frame.
Charleston Southern responded emphatically in the third set, holding the Titans to a -.025 hitting percentage while earning a 15-6 advantage midway through the frame. The Bucs ultimately cruised to a 25-15 victory to take a 2-1 lead.
The Titans answered in the fourth set, using a late run to pull away for a 25-20 victory and force the fifth set. Cal State Fullerton then jumped ahead early in the deciding frame and held off a late Charleston Southern push to secure the 15-12 victory.
Notables:
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Brynn Minter recorded her 100th career kill and led the Buccaneers with 21 kills while adding eight digs and two service aces for a team-high 23 points. Faith Burch followed with 12 kills, two blocks and 13.5 points.
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Laila Hilton contributed 10 kills, while Dillia Lowry added nine kills and three total blocks. Emma Bednarek finished with seven kills, three total blocks, three service aces and five digs.
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Tristin Sutton directed the Charleston Southern offense with 29 assists while adding three kills and eight digs.
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Cara McLean recorded 17 assists and nine digs.
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Presley Morris and Adeline Wieler led the defensive effort with a combined 33 digs, while Charleston Southern finished with 73 digs as a team with seven total blocks.
Up Next:
Saturday, September 12th, Charleston Southern will host Bethune-Cookman at 2:00 PM for the final day of the Playa Bowls Invitational at CSU. The match will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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