CHARLESTON – The Volleyball Team had their first match of the Buccaneer Invitational presented by O'Charley's and Panera Bread on Friday night, dropping it by a 3-1 score. The Bucs claimed the first, but the visitors took the next three to get the victory.
Charleston Southern jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first set to start the night in front of a rowdy crowd in the Buc Dome. The Buccaneers never surrendered their lead for the rest of the set, the Rattlers were never able to draw within a point for the rest of the way.
Angelika Rusin scored three consecutive aces to put the Bucs a point away from clinching it.
Indigo Young sealed the first win with a kill.
In the second, the visitors took the early 4-0 advantage this time and were able to use it to help hang on to it to pull even at 1-1. Charleston Southern was able to close the gap, but a Florida A&M 6-0 run created the separation they needed and claimed it at 25-15.
During the third, both teams went point-for-point early with them being deadlocked at 10 apiece. The Rattlers were able to get an edge and hold a 24-20 lead. The Buccaneers tallied three in a row, but A&M claimed the set as they survived the comeback attempt to get it 25-23.
The Rattlers were able to get the fourth and final set by a scoreline of 25-21. The Buccaneers stormed back to even it at 21 each, but Florida A&M was able to get enough energy back to get the match victory.
Young led all players with 13 kills while hitting .500 on the night.
Skylar Yates had nine while
Jyriah Morgan and
Giada Pais-Marden each had seven with
Emmy Rollins adding six.
Ilaria Durante led the team in assists as she dished 29 with
Kahea Carvalho notching 13. Rusin led the team with four aces and Carvalho had two.
Defensively, Rusin led the team with 14 digs while Yates and Durante had nine each. Young had a stellar day at the net as she finished with a career-high six total blocks. Pais-Marden was right behind as she collected five.
The Buccaneers return to defend their home court on Day Two of the Buccaneer Invitational Presented by O'Charley's and Panera Bread tomorrow with matches at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. They open the day facing a crosstown rival in The Citadel and S.C. State, who CSU swept earlier this season on the road.
