Hickory, N.C. — Sophomore Courtney Dotson (Greeneville, Tenn.) delivered the goods at in the midcourt for Walters State, recording 10 assists on the day, but Catawba Valley was just too strong everywhere else on the floor. The Lady Senators fell 3-0 Tuesday night to the No. 4-ranked Red Hawks in a rematch of last year's District O championship game at the Tarlton Complex (25-16, 25-16, 25-16).
The defeat broke a four-game wining streak for Walters State (10-5). Before Tuesday night, the Lady Senators had won 12 consecutive sets without dropping a frame.
Facing the fourth-ranked Red Hawks (13-2), Walters State's usual front court advantage evaporated. CVCC got 13 kills and eight blocks from Emma Clark to lead both teams. Freshman Alaysia McGhee (Knoxville, Tenn.) led Walters State with five kills. Freshman Olivia Oxendine (Pensacoloa, Fla.) recorded four kills and four blocks.
The streaks the Lady Senators were able to put together came because of solid courtwork. Dotson's 10 assists led the way, but freshman Taylor Tigue (Franklin, Tenn.) contributed seven and freshman Amanda Singleton (Knoxville, Tenn.) produced three.
Singleton added seven digs to her stat sheet. Freshman Jania Hill (Morristown, Tenn.) and Dotson recorded six digs apiece.
Catawba Valley took control early in match one, building a quick 5-0 lead before the points started trading between the teams. Walters State did take the early lead in the second game, 9-4, but the Red Hawks clawed their way back in, winning 21 of the next 28 points to finish out the frame.
Walters State is back in action Thursday night at Bryan College. First serve is set for 6:30 p.m.
Adam Greene
Walters State Community College
Sports Information Director
Cell: (423) 736-0849
Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu
Website: www.ws.edu/athletics