Volleyball dispatches ex-conference foes with ease

By Devon Jeffreys
Photo by Glenn Judah
PHOTO CAPTION: The Lady Saints beat both Riddle and Northwood last week.

Last week Flagler Volleyball proved one of the reasons that made the move to NCAA Div. II a no brainer. They have moved a step above the competition in the Florida Sun Conference.

The Lady Saints entered action on Sept. 26 with a record of 13-5 facing rival Embry-Riddle. Flagler handled Riddle top to bottom and the victory was never in doubt as a sweep came with relative ease. The series between the Lady Saints and the Eagles seems to have lost its past luster as Riddle struggles to keep its head above water this season at 10-11.

Justine Burkhardt led the Flagler offensive attack with 15 kills including the game-ender. Krista McAra added 10 kills. Katie Beale had 12 digs for the defense and Carrie Arnette had 37 assists.

Flagler has won the last three meetings between the teams.

On Friday night, the Lady Saints welcomed former conference foe Northwood University and were less than hospitable to their guests.

Northwood entered the game with a record of 4-9 and would not come anywhere near victory number five.

In the first game a 10-8 Flagler lead was blown wide open by an 11-1 Flagler run that left the finish, a Flagler 30-15 victory, a foregone conclusion.

In game two, Northwood held a 14-12 lead in the middle of the game, but could not hold off the Lady Saints who scored 10 consecutive points to put it out of reach. In game three a 1-0 Northwood lead would quickly be erased by an 8-0 Flagler run as the Lady Saints cruised to the sweep victory.

Leah Melton led Flagler’s attack with 10 kills. Freshman Becky Hendrian saw extended playing time in the absence of Caitie Culleton and contributed six kills. McAra had six as well.

Sarah Spraggins steadied the defense with 11 digs and Arnette and Audrey Hippensteel split the setting duties grabbing 17 and 16 assists respectively.

Facing former FSC rivals has proven very beneficial for the Lady Saints this year. They are 6-0 in matches with FSC teams and have not even lost a game (18-0). A matchup with perennial thorn in the side and reigning FSC champ Savannah College of Art and Design looms on Oct. 6.