MACON, Ga. –  The University of Evansville volleyball squad won its second straight match as they opened the Mercer University Bear Brawl against Charleston Southern.  The Aces defeated the Buccaneers in four games 3-1 behind a balanced attack offensively and defensively. 

Early in game one, the Aces tied things up at 6-6 after a kill by junior Sally Kulupka.  The kill gave UE momentum as they scored seven straight points to control the game at 12-6.  Charleston Southern didn’t go away quietly as they battled back into the game to take the lead at 24-23.  The score bounced back and forth in the final moments, but the Buccaneers outlasted UE taking the win, 31-29.  Kulupka finished the game knocking down six kills on ten attempts to hit for a percentage of .600.  Senior Megan Spurlock added five kills. 

Game two was similar to the first as the score was tied on ten different occasions.  With the score knotted at 17-17, the Aces turned it on to outscore CSU 13-6 in the final stages of the game to take the win 30-23.  UE had a .314 hitting percentage to CSU’s .053 in the game. 

The Buccaneers set the pace in game three early to take an 8-5 lead.  UE would overcome that deficit to gain an edge leading 13-11 after taking advantage of a trio of CSU attack errors.  Charleston Southern tied it up again at 14, but Kulupka put down another timely kill to put UE ahead again.  The Aces never looked back rest of the game to finish the win 30-28.

Game four was another close one as CSU wanted to stay alive and the Aces were hungry to win the match.  There were 18 ties in this game. Late in the game, the score stood at 20-20.  The Buccaneers played strong during the next stretch taking the lead by seven, 28-21.  UE rallied back into the game with a strong surge of offense behind two kills from Kulupka, two more from senior Anne Teegardin, and another by junior Katie Kincaid.  The Aces took game four finishing on a 10-1 run to win it, 31-29.

The Aces had the offensive edge all morning beating CSU in kills during every game.  As a team, UE finished with 67 kills to CSU’s 53.  The defense was also successful as the Aces had 12 blocks and 69 digs . 

Spurlock had a huge offensive match finishing with 22 kills and a .360 hitting percentage.  Kulupka played well once again tallying 17 kills to hit for a .302 percentage.  Senior Julie Walroth finished where she left off last weekend leading both teams with a personal season high, 33 digs.  Sophomore Emily Whitney set things efficiently finishing with a season high 50 assists.

The Aces will hit the court again later today at 6:00 PM against Mercer.  UE will then wrap up their participation in the tournament Saturday morning at 9:00 AM as they will battle Jackson State.