Trojans season comes to an end

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on November 8, 2007 1:50 PM

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MOC Sports Information

ANDERSON, S.C. -- Racey Bartley recorded a career-high 24 kills and Kailey Preece rallied Mount Olive College at the service line, but Anderson prevailed 30-21, 28-30, 34-32, 31-29 in a Conference Carolinas volleyball tournament match Wednesday evening.

The visiting Trojans concluded year the 17-15 overall.

The four-set loss ended the collegiate careers of senior outside hitter Sam Mitchell and senior setter Mariangelix Cordero. Mitchell posted a double-double -- 19 kills, 26 digs -- against Anderson. The Wisconsin native finished her career with 1,909 kills and a school-record 1,503 digs.

Mitchell finished the season with 563 kills, the fourth-highest single-season total in Trojan history. Her career total is second only to Heidi Busch on the MOC all-time career list. Mitchell broke the career digs record of 1,329 previously held by Nikki Murphy (2003-06).

Cordero dished out 32 assists against Anderson.

Corie Skislak tallied nine kills and three blocks, while Bartley recorded a team-high four blocks. Bartley's previous career-best kills performance was 18 in the Trojans' regular season finale Saturday against Converse.

Trojan libero Mallory Peavler, who recorded a back row kill in game four, finished with 19 digs, while Mote added 14 digs.

Skislak took advantage of Anderson overpasses with kills on back-to-back points to give the Trojans a 5-1 lead in game three. Anderson scored eight of the next nine points and went on to build a 15-10 lead. Mount Olive rallied to regain the lead as Mitchell had nine kills in the third game. Setter Joanie Werling, who finished with 23 assists, recorded second-ball kills on back-to-back points to key the rally.

The Trojans had two game points at 29-27, but Anderson battled back to tie the game. Mount Olive had two more game points, but Anderson was able to side out both times. After Anderson regained the lead 32-31, Bartley's kill tied the game again. Anderson took a 33-32 lead and closed out the game on an attack that went beyond the end line, but was ruled to be touched on the front row.

Anderson broke away from an early tie to build an 18-10 lead in the fourth game. Mount Olive pulled within 20-15, but Anderson answered with a 5-2 run to push the lead back to eight points at 25-17.

A Mount Olive side out cut the lead to seven, setting the stage for Preece's service run. Preece served an ace and Bartley recorded a pair of kills as the Trojans pulled within 25-21. After an Anderson time out, Mount Olive continued to chip away at the lead and Preece's second ace tied the game 25-25.

Bartley added another kill and Trojans built the lead to 28-25, capping an 11-0 run. The two teams traded sideouts and Mount Olive was one point away from forcing a fifth game at 29-26. But Anderson fought off three game points and eventually took the match.