Box Score Tigerville, S.C. – North Greenville continues to search for its first win of the 2017 season after falling to Coker College 3-1 (18-25, 24-26, 25-18, 22-25) in non-conference action.
The Cobras captured the first set as NGU hit just .190 with five errors and just nine kills. The Crusaders looked to be in control of set two, leading by five points midway through but a late Coker surge forced the set into extra serves. The Cobras would get back-to-back points after tying the score at 24-24 to extend their set lead to 2-0.
The Cobras struggled offensively in the second set as they hit just .042 following a solid performance in the first set with 11-kills compared to just four errors. NGU also struggled during the second frame hitting .045 with nine kills and eight miscues.
A dominant third set for the Crusaders would cut the Coker lead to just one win. NGU had its best offensive showing of the day with 10-kills led by Grayson Lawrence who put down three kills during the frame. The Crusaders also held the Cobras to a .125 hitting performance with eight errors to 11-kills. North Greenville solved the Coker offense with three solo blocks and two assists.
The Crusaders gained an early lead in the fourth set but three service aces from Joao Victor Santos and two other points would give the Cobras a 12-7 lead. Coker would go on to take a 16-10 over the Crusaders who were searching for momentum. NGU would cut the lead to three with a chance to cut it to two on the next serve but a block by the Cobras would give them a 21-17 advantage.
The Crusaders would continue to battle though, looking to force the match to a fifth set as consecutive blocks from NGU would pull the Crusaders to within one at 22-21. Coker would regroup during a timeout though and score the next two to work the fourth to set point. The Crusaders would pickup one more point but Coker would finish the game off on the next serve with a kill to take the non-conference match.
Grayson Lawrence finished the day with a team high 14-kills while Matthew McManaway had 11. Alexander Schinzing quarterbacked 38-assists while Ben Hamsho led NGU with three solo blocks. The Crusaders finished with 8-solo blocks on the day
NGU will host Erskine College on January 25th at 7pm.
