LAGRANGE, Ga. – For the first time in school history, the LaGrange College women's volleyball team beat visiting Asbury University in Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) action on Saturday, at the Mariotti Gymnasium in LaGrange, Georgia, prevailing in four sets to take sole possession of second place in the CCS standings. It was LC's first-ever win over Asbury, the defending CCS conference champions, following five losses dating back to the start of the 2024 season.
In the evening match, the Panthers hosted nationally-ranked Emory University, falling in straight sets, 27-25, 25-19, 25-12.
LaGrange runs their record to 10-6 overall and 4-1 in conference play. It is their best start to a season since 2016.
ASBURY 1, LAGRANGE 3 (19-25, 25-11, 29-27, 25-18)
- After dropping the first set, the Panthers came roaring back in the second, pulling away off the serve of junior outside hitter Ella Sprouse (Sneads, Fla.), last week's CCS Player of the Week, who gave LaGrange and 18-7 lead with an ace.
- In the third set, the Panthers trailed 27-26 when an Eagle attack error gave them the serve back. Sprouse picked up the kill to put LaGrange ahead and sophomore right-side hitter Alex Krabs (Boynton Beach, Fla.) finished it off with a service ace.
- In the fourth, the Panthers pulled away down the stretch, as Krabs notched six kills.
- Krabs dominated, hitting .531 with 17 kills, ten digs and two aces. Sophomore middle-blocker Kaitlyn Smith (Buckeye, Ariz.) tallied 14 kills with a .591 percentage, adding four total blocks. Sprouse finished with ten kills, adding four aces.
- Junior setter Rebecca Miranda (Snellville, Ga.) posted a season-high 21 set assists. Freshman middle-blocker Jade Furr (Prescott, Ariz.) was a defensive wall with seven total blocks.
EMORY 3, LAGRANGE 0 (27-25, 25-19, 25-12)
- The Panthers took a 24-21 lead in the first set over the 17th-ranked Eagles of Emory off a kill by LaGrange sophomore outside hitter Danika Durham (Parker, Ariz.). But Emory responded, winning six of the next seven rallies to take the set, and setting the table for the eventual sweep.
- Krabs led the Panthers with eight kills and four digs. Sprouse added four kills and two aces.
UP NEXT
- LaGrange is back on the court on Tuesday when they travel to Belhaven University for a critical CCS match between the current second and third-seeded teams in the conference. Match time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
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