Reinhardt Overcomes Big Test at Point, 3-1

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

Photo Courtesy of the Mid-South Conference

WEST POINT, Ga. – The most competitive outing in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) action in some time turned into sole possession of first-place in the league after the Eagles held off a strong challenge from Point (Ga.) on the road Tuesday night, 3-1 (23-25,25-15,25-23,28-26).
 
After escaping the tough test against the Skyhawks, Reinhardt (22-2, 15-0 AAC) now stands alone atop the standings of the conference following Union (Ky.) being upset by Bryan (Tenn.), 3-1.

"Tonight was epic," head coach Brian Goodhind said. First, I want to say how great Point played and to acknowledge how great of a job Coach Herrera and his staff have done. Their team is playing really well. They play for the right reasons; to honor God and for one another, and it is why they are so successful. This conference is so lucky to have a team like that representing the AAC. Honestly, a key reason we were able to pull this out tonight is the respect we have for their program. I told the girls to expect an epic match with great competition and a crazy, hyped crowd; both of those things happened. There's nothing better than playing in front of a crazy, hyped crowd that is invested in every point. I was very proud of how our team responded to Point coming out with incredible energy and just punching our girls hard as they took set one – late – right from us. It is such a blessing to be pushed like that so you can see how your team responds. Our girls responded really well with a very big push of their own set two. Set three was a grind and we scrapped out that set. Set four felt good as they grabbed it at the end, but incredible poise shown as our girls were down, 24-22, but pulled out the win. Great blocking calls by Coach Shearer at the end to set up our defense.
 
I have to also say how proud I am of this entire volleyball program… Our entire men's program drove out to support the girls; our reserve team (after winning its match) stayed and cheered us on. It was an amazing night. AAC volleyball had two teams truly represent it to the highest tonight. Congrats to both teams on a well-played match. To God goes all the Glory. #WePlayFor11."
 
Both teams stood toe-to-toe with one another from start to finish, and Point held multiple leads in the opening set and withstood an Eagle run of four-straight points in the first game as the visitors pulled ahead, 19-16. The Skyhawks responded with four of the next five tallies to once again knot the contest up at 20-20. Reinhardt swung back with three scores in-a-row (23-20), but couldn't close the deal as its hosts finished on a 5-0 run to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
 
The Eagles rebounded in a big way in set two by starting on a 5-0 run and opening up a 10-4 advantage. They would continue to put Point in a bigger hole – but the Skyhawks wouldn't go quietly – fighting back to within five at 18-13, before Reinhardt tied the match at 1-1 by ending the set on a 7-2 swing.
 
The third stanza was much of the same, featuring multiple scoring sprees by both teams and another tie score in the middle of the game. The Eagles' biggest stretch came when they were down, 13-12, before reeling off seven-consecutive scores. Point would eventually claw its way back to within one tally numerous times before a Brittany Taksas kill put her club up, 2-1, overall.
 
Déjà vu all over again in set four as Reinhardt looked to close the book on the competition. The Eagles had a small lead of two (21-19) before the Skyhawks fought back one more time with five points out of the next six to earn set-score. The visitors would fight back twice, and even regain set-point, before the Skyhawks made it all-square at 26.
 
AAC Attacker of the Week Savanna Davis connected on an attempt to put the pressure solely on Point, who would then make an error on the follow play to end the night.
 
Emily Charbonneau (12 kills) and Cheetara Bing (10) each had double-digit scores while Carlee Baxter (26 assists) and Erinn Marroquin (22) helped the offense find a rhythm.
 
Defensively, Reinhardt posted 79 digs, with Mar Vives (21), Marroquin (12) and Kelley Adkins (11) out-front.
 
Baxter had another double-double with 10 digs as well.
 
Scoring Leaders at Point
Kills       Emily Charbonneau (12), Cheetara Bing (10), Savanna Davis (9)
Aces      Carlee Baxter (2), Erinn Marroquin (2), Alma Vazquez-Nunez (2)
Blocks   Shelby Glawson (1), Emily Charbonneau (1), Allyson Mattson (1)
Assists  Carlee Baxter (26), Erinn Marroquin (22), Mar Vives (7)
Digs       Mar Vives (21), Erinn Marroquin (12), Kelley Adkins (11)
 
The hometown squad is back on the road on Saturday morning in North Carolina to take on the Knights of St. Andrews.
 
First serve is set for 11 a.m.
 
For up-to-the-minute Eagles sports news, follow Reinhardt Athletics on Facebook, @RU_Eagles on Twitter and @ru_eagles on Instagram. 

For more information on Reinhardt Women's Volleyball, please click here.