Hartsville, SC- In what proved to be a much closer match than Coker had originally anticipated, the Cobras defeated the Belmont Abbey Crusaders on Friday night. With scores of 30-18, 25-30, 30-25 and 30-24 the Cobras won 3-1. Coker improved to 6-7 overall, and 5-1 in the CVAC, while Belmont Abbey dropped to 3-6 overall, and 0-5 in the CVAC.

In game one, Coker jumped out to early lead, but the Crusaders quickly bounced back and tied the game and took a lead behind the serving of Monica Halligan. The Cobras did regain their lead and never looked back winning game one 30-18.

Game two was a close one from the very start. Neither team was able to gain more than a one or two point lead over the other, until Belmont Abbey took a 28-25 lead and then went on to win 30-25.

Much like game two, game three saw both teams unable to get an offensive rhythm going. Eventually Coker found a groove and took a 26-22 lead and the eventual win at 30-25.

In the fourth and final game Coker took an early lead and held off the Crusaders attack for the rest of the game, winning 30-24.

Leading the Cobras was Margaret Madison with 16 kills and four aces, while Megan Haupt had 11 kills. Tara Nelson had 50 assists and 14 digs and Kelsey Carlson had 12 digs for Coker.

Belmont Abbey’s Sydney Steffen was the kill leader with 13 kills, while Ashley Ringlein had 10 kills and eight blocks. Sawyer Coble had 42 assists and 10 digs, while Halligan had 25 digs and four aces.

Coker returns to the court tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. as they host Converse College, while Belmont Abbey will face St. Andrews at home on Tuesday, September 19.