Sherman, Texas – The Centenary volleyball team split a pair of matches in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Cross Divisional #2 hosted by Austin College at the Richardson Center and the Hughley Gymnasium.
The Ladies (11-23, 7-11 SCAC) took care of Johnson and Wales, 3-1, in their first match of the day in the Richardson Center as they easily won the first set 25-14, lost set two by a score of 25-22, and then won sets three and four by identical scores of 25-20 to clinch the match. Johnson and Wales dropped to 3-28 and 1-16 in SCAC play with the loss. Centenary clinched its third-straight season of double-digit wins with the win over Johnson and Wales and has won 29 matches the last two seasons combined.
The Maroon and White dropped a hard-fought five-set match to host Austin College in their second match of the day. Centenary took the first two sets by scores of 24-16 and 25-17 before Austin tied the match by winning sets three (25-23) and four (25-16) and then clinching the match in the decisive fifth set, 20-18. The 'Roos improved to 16-17 overall and 10-7 in the SCAC with the win. Centenary went 1-3 during the weekend after dropping a pair of 3-0 decisions on Saturday to Texas Lutheran and Trinity.
The Ladies recorded an impressive 101 digs, 56 assists, and 56 kills in the victory over Johnson and Wales. Marissa Sandoval (San Antonio, Texas) and Rachel Demerjian (Glendora, Calif.) each posted 21 digs while Alyssa Davis (Van Alstyne, Texas), Kristian Loving (Tyler, Texas), and Ami Powers (Katy, Texas) were all in double-figures in digs combining for 43. The Ladies continue to add to their nation-leading total in division III in the category with Sandoval leading individually. Davis, Powers, and Elizabeth Epley (Nashville, Tenn.) all posted double-digit kills led by Davis's 15. Demerjian added 53 assists.
Demerjian had 45 assists and 14 digs in the loss to Austin College while Sandoval had 36 digs. Powers added 16 digs and Loving had 12. Kaye Kelley (Fort Worth, Texas) had a team-best 19 kills and Epley and Davis combined for 25.
Centenary will wrap up its regular season at home on Friday, Nov. 1 as the Ladies welcome Texas-Dallas to town on Senior Night for a 6 p.m. match. at the Gold Dome. Two Ladies' seniors, Kristian Loving and Marissa Sandoval, along with team manager Taylor Morgan, will be honored in a special pregame ceremony. #CTheOpportunity #GoCentenary
