BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Martin Methodist Volleyball team fought hard, but fell short in four matches this weekend at the 2018 Mid-South Conference Crossover Challenge.
The RedHawks (0-4) suffered two heartbreaking, five-set losses on Friday to University of Cumberlands (Ky.) and Pikeville (Ky.). The RedHawks returned to the court on Saturday, but dropped their contests to Life (Ga.) and Shawnee State (Ohio).
The RedHawks will rest and get ready for another weekend series when they travel to New Orleans for four matches in the Xavier (La.) Classic next weekend.
University of Cumberlands 3, Martin Methodist 2:
Martin Methodist opened its 2018 season with a hard-fought, five-set defeat to University of Cumberlands (Ky.) on Friday.
After they dropped the opening set, the RedHawks rallied for wins in the second and third sets to take a 2-1 advantage. The lead would not last, however, as the Patriots edged out a win in the fourth and then grabbed a fifth and decisive set.
Four RedHawks finished with double-digit kills. Kara Nelms led the way with 14 kills in her RedHawk debut. Kaitlyn Lund added 12 in her first-ever match as a RedHawk. Chandler Salvig also added 11 finishes in her RedHawk opener. Lauren Martin added 10 kills in the defeat.
Sydney Arnold produced 48 of the team's 52 total assists.
Pikeville 3, Martin Methodist 2:
Martin Methodist suffered its second five-set defeat of the afternoon Friday in a loss to Pikeville (Ky.).
Similar to the first match of the day, the RedHawks dropped the first set and won the next two. But Friday's second match would prove heartbreaking as the RedHawks dropped the fourth set by a 25-22 margin and fell 15-13 in the fifth and deciding frame.
Sabrie Sirmones and Lauren Martin led the RedHawks with 10 kills. Newcomer Kiara Mayo added eight for the RedHawks.
Arnold provided 22 assists for the RedHawks, while Jessie Privett added 14 helpers in the defeat.
Katelyn Wear (14), Bobbi Anduha (11) and Hayley Brisendine (10) led the RedHawks in digs.
Life 3, Martin Methodist 0:
Martin Methodist drew close in the first set, but could not regain its momentum as it suffered a straight-set defeat to Life (Ga.) in Saturday's opening match.
Sabrie Sirmones led the RedHawks with nine kills in the defeat.
Shawnee State 3, Martin Methodist 1:
In its final contest of the weekend, Martin Methodist dropped a 3-1 match to Shawnee State (Ohio).
The RedHawks fell behind in the first set, but were able to pull even in the second. The third and fourth sets got away from the RedHawks, however, as Shawnee State was able to pull out the victory.
Sabrie Sirmones led the RedHawks with nine kills. Kaitlyn Lund added eight in the defeat.
Defensively, Hayley Brisendine notched 19 digs, while Samantha Davenport added 11.
