SALISBURY, N.C. -- Catawba outlasted Queens and posted a five-set win in South Atlantic Conference volleyball action on Wednesday night at Goodman Gym. Catawba won by the scores of 18-25, 25-21, 21-25, 25-22, 14-13 and improved to 7-5 overall and 4-2 in the SAC. The Royals fall to 7-6 and 3-2.
Catawba got a career-high 21 kills and 20 digs from Allison Bryant and another 15 kills from Kylie Morgan. Ashley Johnson added nine kills and five blocks. Setter Payton Medich handed out 48 assists and added four blocks. Morgan Childress served three aces and posted 14 digs.
The fifth set saw nine ties and five lead changes before Catawba prevailed. Queens took an 11-10 but Johnson answered that point and the next Queens point with kills to leave the score at 12-12. Morgan's kill put Catawba up 13-12 and Bryant's kill made it 14-12. Kaylin Johnson pulled Queens within a point, but an attack error gave Catawba the match.
Catawba grabbed a 6-0 lead in set one, but Queens came back and led 20-13 after a kill by Dowling. The Catawba Indians got within five late, but Kayla McDuffie killed off the final point.
The Lady Indians came back in set two, which featured a dozen ties. Tied at 20-20, Morgan delivered three kills over the next four point to push Catawba to a 24-20 edge. Johnson would deliver a kill from set point.
Catawba led set three 19-17 before Queens rallied back. Dowling had three kills and a block to push the Royals up 24-19. She eventually killed off the final point.
The Lady Indians surged ahead midway through the fourth set. A kill and an ace from Morgan gave Catawba a 15-13 lead. A kill from Morgan, a block by Medich and a kill from Bryant put the Lady Indians up 18-14. Queens got down 22-16 before reeling off four points to close within 22-20. Johnson had a kill to make it 24-21 and the final point came on a Queens attack error.
Queens got 19 kills and a pair of blocks from Lindsay Elmore. Jordyn Johnson picked up 13 kills, 13 digs and three blocks. Loren Johnson recorded 32 digs.
Catawba travels to Tusculum on Friday for a 6 p.m. match with the Pioneers.
