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.

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!

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)