Tuesday night, the Lady Bengals volleyball team began their playoff run with a sweep (25-14, 25-13 and 25-14) of Fort Mill in the first round. Blythewood never trailed in the first two sets and fed off the home court advantage. Senior hitter Abreia Epps led the attack with a game high 16 kills.
“We came out fighting,” Epps said. “Our home crowd was there to support us and that gave us a lot of energy.”
Fort Mill came alive in the third set leading Blythewood by as many as five points at 10-5 and 13-8. However, the Lady Bengals were finally able to break the Fort Mill run when Blythewood senior setter Gabriela Martinez came up to serve. With Martinez serving seven straight points, the Lady Bengals took the lead and would never look back. In that stretch she served three aces and after the game head coach Mary Hall commended Martinez for her effort.
“She (Martinez) had them confused,” Hall said. “Those aces down the line were a huge momentum changer.”
Martinez finished the night with 30 assist and eight aces (both game highs).
Blythewood improved their record to 36-5 and will host Riverside on Thursday night. Time of first serve had not been set at press time.
Hall believes the quick turn around is an advantage for her team.
“This schedule keeps us in sync,” Hall said. “The ladies are ready to play and we’re excited.”
