Lady Jackets win 6th, 7th match straight

The women’s volleyball squad extended its winning streak to six matches Oct. 2, in front of the homecoming crowd. The Lady Jackets swept Kentucky Wesleyan, 25-23, 26-24, 25-11. The Jackets also defeated Trevecca Oct. 3 in the second of the homecoming weekend matches, rising to seven straight wins.

The first match Oct. 2 began with a lot of back-and-forth action. Kentucky Wesleyan jumped out to a 15-13 lead, but Cedarville’s Coach Doug Walters called a timeout, and the Jackets regained the lead 18-16.

Libero Angela Becker, a junior, and team setter Kristin Cardwell, also a junior, paced the team throughout, diving for balls and providing great enthusiasm. Becker contributed a team-high 17 digs while Cardwell recorded 28 assists.

The Jackets broke the ice in-game when junior Rachel Krikke hammered a kill down the center of the court, giving the Jackets a 21-20 advantage. Sophomore Krissy Pratt followed up with an ace, then served two more times giving points 23 and 24 to the Jackets. Junior Abby Shelton, who finished with 10 kills, three assists and a block, drilled the winning point down the line.

Kentucky Wesleyan responded quickly, starting the second game on an 8-3 run. Pratt delivered another ace, which started a 3-0 run for Cedarville. Despite their energy, the Jackets played catch up the rest of the second game, never drawing closer than three points. Down 14-16, Pratt even tried kicking a deflected ball for a point.

Becker then stepped in. She hit the floor twice to keep plays alive, eventually setting up Krikke for the go-ahead point 25-24. Having to win by two, Becker served and the Jackets claimed the point and the second game, 26-24.

The Jackets started on an 8-2 run for the third set, including an ace from Becker and more kills from Pratt and senior Alyssa Barkley. The Jackets would cruise behind Kristin Cardwell’s crisp passing the rest of the way to win 25-11.

The Lady Jackets take on Ursuline at home 7 p.m. Oct. 6.

Dave Guidone is a senior social studies education major and sports reporter for Cedars. His hobbies include eating, snacking, shooting hoops and laughing. Hebrews 13:8.