DUE WEST, S.C. | Young Harris College dropped their conference opener against Erskine 3-1 on Friday night. The Mountain Lions battled back down 2-0 to take the third set, before Erskine closed out the match 25-16 in the fourth set.
Rylee (Alyssa) DeSimone led the team with 24 assists,
Abby Schirm and
Nicole Klucharich each had eight kills, and
Joha Bernis collected 10 digs.
QUOTING HEAD COACH JENNY MICHAEL
"Our opponent outplayed us tonight. That means I need to do a better job preparing our team. Time now for us to think like goldfish and get ready for Saturday."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Ali Angell and Becca Yohe propelled the Fleet to the early 9-1 advantage.
Lily Hidalgo got a kill to kick started a six-point run for the Mountain Lions.
Sophie Bearden registered a kill,
Abby Schirm added two more points, and Rylee Alyssa DeSimone found the hardwood, which made it 15-9. The Fleet scored the final five points, to take the first set 25-17.
The second set was back-and-forth early with Erskine taking the 9-6 lead. Taylor Ryleigh capitalized on a swing, put The Fleet up 19-14, and forced a timeout from Young Harris. YHC didn't fade away, two kills from Klucharich and a service ace from
Elanah Hardeen forced Erskine to take a timeout of their own.
Lily Hidalgo and
Kathryn Urbanek combined for a big block to get YHC within one, 19-18. The Fleet scored six of the next eight points and won the second set 25-20.
The Mountain Lions battled and won set three 25-18. YHC rattled off three straight points to take the 11-7 advantage. Young Harris capitalized on ten attacking errors from Erskine.
Joha Bernis' service ace gave the Mountain Lions the set victory and forced a fourth set.
The Fleet regained their rhythm in set four. Erskine's Taylor Ryleigh led Erskine with four kills in the set. YHC cut the deficit to three, 13-10 but Erskine went on a nine-point run, which led to the 22-11 advantage, eventually match point, and the victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Mountain Lions totaled 35 kills and held a .117 hitting percentage.
- Erskine had 10 service aces.
- Klucharich and Schirm each tallied eight kills.
- Erskine's Taylor Ryleigh (11), Ali Angell (13), and Becca Yohe (12) combined for 36 kills.
UP NEXT
Young Harris heads back to the Enchanted Valley for their home opener tomorrow against Emmanuel University at 3:00 p.m. in the Harp and Recreation Center.
