VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The Guilford College volleyball team (6-16, 2-5 ODAC) faced No. 23 Batten University (17-3, 5-2 ODAC), falling to the Marlins in straight sets (16-25, 19-25, 14-25), Saturday morning.
Batten held the advantage offensively, recording 47 kills and hitting .308 compared to Guilford's 22 kills and .078 mark. The Marlins also led in service aces (10-1), assists (45-18), and digs (50-35), while Guilford recorded six blocks to Batten's nine.
Olivia Thorne (Huntersville, N.C.) led the Quakers with six kills, while Kyndis Myers (Tacoma, Wash.) added five kills and three blocks. Olivia Roberts (Claremont, Calif.) contributed four kills and a team-high four blocks. Jillian Mapes (Hodges, S.C.) paced the offense with 11 assists and added Guilford's lone service ace, while Vivian Cavataio (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) led the defensive effort with 15 digs.
Batten's Anna Moody led all players with 18 kills, while Hannah Smith added 10 kills and four service aces. Niya Nash distributed 30 assists, and Brenna Raymond recorded a team-high 16 digs.
The Quakers opened the match with a strong offensive effort in the first set, recording 10 kills and hitting .171. Thorne led the way with three kills, while Guilford looked to keep pace with Batten's attack. However, the Marlins tallied 18 kills and hit .351 to take the opening set, 25-16.
Guilford looked to respond during the second set, and had its highest scoring set of the day, but couldn't find its offensive rhythm, finishing with six kills and a -.0323 hitting percentage. Batten continued to apply pressure with 14 kills and a .229 hitting percentage, building separation to secure a 25-19 win and take a two-set advantage into the break.
Batten carried its momentum into the third set, recording 15 kills and hitting .344 to close out the match, 25-14. The Quakers added six kills in the final frame, with Myers contributing to the offensive effort. Despite Guilford's defensive work at the net, the Marlins maintained control to complete the straight-set victory.
Guilford will return to action Wednesday, October 14, traveling to face Roanoke College for a 6:30 PM conference clash.
#GoQuakes
