Carroll Comeback Edges Eagles in Five Sets
KIRKLAND, Wash. - Carroll College overcame a 2-0 set deficit to win three straight sets for a 3-2 non-conference victory tonight in the season opener for both teams.
The Eagles looked good in the first two sets edging the Saints 25-21 in the first and 25-18 in the second set. But, the defending co-champions from the Frontier Conference would come roaring back in set three to take the set, 25-21. Leading 10-6 in the third set, Carroll would out score Northwest U 15-11 to force a fifth and deciding set with a 25-17 win.
Carroll would break open the close fifth set, leading 9-8, with a 5-0 run to lead 14-10 as Brielle Bumgarner would give the Saints the match win with her kill.
Mattie Jo Johnson led the way for Northwest U (0-1) with 11 kills. Amanda Waterman and Dakota Adams each had 10 kills with Waterman adding 20 digs for the double-double. Morgan Pilon led NU with a team high 42 assists and Leia Roy had a team high 22 digs.
For Carroll (1-0), Brielle Bumgarner and Paige Montgomery tied for match high honors with 15 kills each. Jonni Dorr had a match high 49 assists and Natalie Kassa had 24 digs for the Saints.
Said Coach Bain following the match, "Both teams played extremely hard tonight and for an early season match it was well played. Carroll did a terrific job in the 3rd set to get back in the match and once they were in system it turned into a battle at the pins. They were able to convert at key moments in the match and in the end they earned a hard fought win."
Bain continued, "Having said that, there were plenty of good moments for the Eagles as well and the lessons learned tonight will help us down the road. It's a long season and I am excited to get back in the gym with this team because they work hard and have the desire to become the best they can be."
The Eagles will travel to Seattle tomorrow for a scrimmage with Seattle Pacific at 6 p.m., while the Saints will be in Olympia tomorrow to play Evergreen.