JACKSON, Miss. – The LaGrange College women's volleyball team opened their Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) league schedule with a thrilling five-set victory at Belhaven University on Saturday at Rugg Arena in Jackson, Mississippi. The Panthers later lost the tail-end of their tri-match with LeTourneau University in non-conference action in straight sets, bringing their season record to 3-12.
LAGRANGE 3, BELHAVEN 2 (25-23, 26-28, 17-25, 25-22, 15-9)
- LaGrange freshman outside hitter Alex Krabs (Boynton Beach, Fla.) dominated against the Blazers, with career highs of 17 kills and 19 digs with three block assists and an ace in arguably the best performance of her young career. At press time, Krabs was leading the Panthers in kills per set for the season.
- LaGrange freshman middle-blocker Kaitlyn Smith (Buckeye, Ariz.) posted 11 kills with a team-best .381 hitting percentage.
- LaGrange sophomore setter Julia Damico (North Port, Fla.) controlled both ends of the court with 32 set assists and 19 digs.
- Down two sets to one going into the fourth, the Panthers found themselves down 5-1, then 13-7, then 16-11. Each time, they roared back, culminating in winning the last five rallies of the set with four of those coming off Smith's serving and two of those points coming off aces. With momentum back on their side, LaGrange pulled away in the fifth set.
- It's the first time the Panthers have opened league play with a win since 2021.
LETOURNEAU 3, LAGRANGE 0
- Facing the fresh Yellowjackets of LeTourneau, the Panthers couldn't match their earlier performance as the fell in three sets. Senior middle-hitter Zentrina Choice (Sumter, S.C.) posted five kills and a .444 hitting percentage. Damico had 14 set assists, four service aces and five digs.
UP NEXT
- LaGrange is back on the court on Wednesday when they host Huntingdon College in an 8:00 p.m. match.
For continuing coverage of LaGrange College Athletics, visit lagrangepanthers.com and follow the Panthers on Instagram ( @lagrange_panthers ), Twitter ( @lcpanthers ) and Facebook ( LaGrange Panthers ).
