ABC Takes Invitational Title in Five Sets

HAMPTON, Virginia – Appalachian Bible College claimed the NSAC Volleyball Invitational championship Saturday afternoon, but not before Virginia University of Lynchburg gave the Warriors all they could handle for five sets.

ABC advanced to the title game by downing host Virginia Peninsula Community College in straight sets 25-12, 25-14, 25-22. VUL then showed it came to play by defeating Mid-Atlantic Christian University in four sets, 25-17, 15-25, 25-22, 25-18.

The title tilt was worth the wait. The Dragons from Lynchburg took two of the first three sets to put them on the verge of winning, but the Warriors stiffened their backs in the last two sets and refused to fail, posting a final 23-25, 25-16, 17-25, 254, 15-14 winning score.

Warriors’ freshman Chloe Carpenter was named the tournament MVP by the participating coaches.

In the 3rd-place game, VPCC took down MACU 25-9, 25-13, 26-24.

NSAC to Host Season-Ending Invitational

The conference volleyball season will conclude on November 4 as the NSAC invites two guests to compete in the New South Conference Volleyball Invitational Tournament.

Conference members Mid-Atlantic Christian and Virginia Peninsula will be joined by Appalachian Bible College and Virginia University of Lynchburg for a quad match at Heritage High School in Leesburg, Virginia.

Schedule:

10:00 am — 1st Semifinal: VPCC vs App Bible

12:00 Noon (or 20 mins after conclusion of prior game) — 2nd Semifinal: MACU vs VUL

2:00 pm (or 20 mins after conclusion of prior game) — 3rd Place Game

4:00 pm (or 20 mins after conclusion of prior game) — Championship

Site: Heritage High School, 5800 Marshall Ave, Newport News, VA 23605

Veteran sportscaster Craig Green will have livestream all the action Saturday from the NSAC Volleyball Invitational here LIVE starting at 10AM!

MACU’s Russell Earns Volleyball Honors

Lainie Russell of Mid-Atlantic Christian had an outstanding performance for the Mustangs in last Saturday’s home tri-match and has earned the News South Athletic Conference’s first volleyball Player of the Week honor for 2023.

The sophomore setter from Currituck, North Carolina scored five aces and handed out 12 assists in three sets against Christendom. Against Lenoir, Russell had 11 assists in three sets.

Congrats to Lainie Russell, the NSAC Volleyball Player of the Week!

Lady Mustangs Sweep Gators

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C.– Mid-Atlantic Christian earned its first victory of the season against Virginia Peninsula Community College at Chesson Gymnasium. The Lady Mustangs swept the Gators in three sets 25-14, 27-25, 25-23. 

“The girls played great tonight and got the win!” said first-year Mustangs coach Jennifer Herman. “Overall, I am very proud of their defense and teamwork. We still have a lot to work on, but these ladies never fail to amaze me with their determination and heart.”

NSAC Announces Volleyball Honorees

Christendom freshman Nora Ross was named the New South Athletic Conference Volleyball Player of the Year, while her coach Casey Rodriquez was honored as the league Coach of the Year following Saturday’s inaugural championship match in Front Royal, Virginia.

Ross is currently leading the USCAA Division 2 in kills per set (4.39) and is second in in total kills (307).

Rodriquez, in her first year as head coach of the Crusaders, led Christendom to an undefeated season in the NSAC and the conference tournament championship. They are currently ranked 12th nationally.

Ross was joined on the All-Conference team by (in no particular order):

  • Claire Mense (Christendom) –  Ninth in USCAA for assists per set (6.11); Seventh in USCAA for total assists (428)
  • Fiona Briggs (Christendom) – Third in USCAA in digs per set (5.45); Seventh in USCAA in total digs (329)
  • McKenna Griffin (MACU) – Team leader in kills averaging 6.27 per game;  2nd on the team in digs; Team leader in points
  • Judea Edmonds (MACU) – 2nd on the team in kills and 3rd in digs;  2nd in points scored per game at 6.8
  • Lainie Russell (MACU) – Led the Mustangs in assists per game (6.8);  4th on the team in digs.  Team leader who consistently hustles and leads communication on the court
  • Reign Powell (MACU) Team leader in digs averaging 9.5 per game with a season high of 19 vs Christendom on 9/16.

All-Academic Team

These exemplary student-athletes are all highly-competitive players who have also maintained at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in the classroom:

Christendom College

  • Annie Crnkovich
  • Dinneen Evich
  • Hannah Simpson
  • Eibhilin McClosky
  • Catherine Brezinski
  • Fiona Briggs

Mid-Atlantic Christian University

  • McKenna Griffin
  • Maddison Turner
  • Kolleen Hansley

Virginia Peninsula Community College

  • Carlee Watson
  • Cori Anderson

Photo: Coach Casey Rodgriquez accepts the Coach of the Year Award from NSAC commissioner Mike Davis (image courtesy Joseph Dotson)

Crusaders Claim Volleyball Title

Congratulations to Christendom College, which swept Mid-Atlantic Christian in straight sets to win the inaugural New South Athletic Conference volleyball championship Saturday afternoon!

The Crusaders, ranked 12th in USCAA Division 2, played confidently and led on all but seven serves. MACU defeated Virginia Peninsula 3-0 in the semifinal to advance to the title game.

Seedings Set for Inaugural Volleyball Championship

It’s the final week of volleyball play in the New South Conference, and the seedings are in place for Saturday’s championship tournament.

Play begins at 1:00 pm inside Christendom College’s Crusader Gym with Mid-Atlantic Christian facing off with Virginia Peninsula. Then at 3:00 pm. the winner advances to face top-seed and USCAA 12th-ranked Christendom for all the marbles.

There’s one conference regular season game still to be played with the VPCC Gators traveling to MACU on Thursday night, but the outcome of that game will not change the seedings.

2022 New South Volleyball Championship
		

			

	
		

							
					Semifinals				
							
					Finals				
					

	
	
					

				MACU 			

					

				
Saturday, October 29, 2022
 3-0 
Front Royal, VA
			

					

				MACU			

					

				
Saturday, October 29, 2022
 0-3 
Front Royal, VA
			

					

				VPCC			

					

				 			

					

				 			

					

				 			

					

				Christendom			

					

				 			

					

				 

Virginia Peninsula Wins First VB Outing

It may have taken a while, but it was worth it for the Gators.

In its first game as a volleyball program, Virginia Peninsula Community College recorded a win in the program’s first intercollegiate game on Saturday 3-0 over visiting Virginia University of Lynchburg.

The team, which did not exist prior to just a few weeks ago, was originally scheduled to play its openers a week ago but had to cancel due to Hurricane Ian.

The Gators’ next game is scheduled for Tuesday, October 25 at home against Regent University.

Ross Named NSAC Player of the Week!

Our NSAC Volleyball Player of the Week is outside hitter Nora Ross of Christendom College!

In last week’s action, Nora claimed nearly total 20 kills, and almost recorded a triple-triple between kills, aces, and digs. These achievements put the Tulsa, Oklahoma freshman near the top of the standings for overall kills for the USCAA.

Earning honorable mention this week is Mid-Atlantic Christian senior McKenna Griffin. McKenna has led the Mustangs in kills all season and this last week was no different against NC Wesleyan College with 6 kills and 2 blocks.

Congratulations to both of these outstanding student-athletes!