- Lady Flames volleyball falls to Campbell University despite strong performances from some of Liberty’s leading players.
- With two of the Big South’s highest-ranked players in kills, Camels beat Liberty 3-2 to end Liberty’s four-game winning streak.
Despite senior outside hitter Gabrielle Vess’ stellar performance, the Liberty University women’s volleyball team now shares the Big South No. 3 ranking with the Campbell Camels, who took down Liberty 3-2 (25-19, 25-17, 15-25, 21-25, 12-15) and ended the Lady Flames four-game win streak Saturday, Oct. 28.
When Liberty and Campbell met earlier in the season Friday, Oct. 6, the Camels defeated the Lady Flames 3-0. The Lady Flames were not about to be swept again.
Vess came out on the attack, scoring three of Liberty’s first five points. When Vess rotated out, the Lady Flames leading killer, sophomore right-side hitter Casey Goodwin, kept the momentum going. The two power hitters combined for a total of 10 kills in the first set.
The first set caught Campbell off guard and caused the team to readjust its game plan heading into the second set. Campbell kept the set close, keeping the score within four, but as soon as Goodwin came into rotation, her presence was made known with her powerful attacks. Liberty closed out the second set with a five-point run to take the second set 25-17.
By the third set, the Camels had adjusted their attack and were ready to make a comeback. Having the No. 1 and No. 5 ranked players in kills within the Big South Conference, Allena Heath and Jessica Stocking, there was plenty of potential for Liberty’s opponent. Heath and Stocking turned it on in the third set with a combined 15 points for the Camels, giving them two five-point runs and a win in the third set, 25-15.
The fourth set just barely slipped away from the Lady Flames, resulting in a 25-21 loss for Liberty. With the threat of losing the ability to tie Liberty in the conference, Campbell went on a six-point run to take the fourth set.
In the final set, Liberty was able to keep the score close, with four lead changes and six tie scores. Both teams had their runs, but Campbell pulled out the win with a four-point run and the final score of 15-12.
Although this game is one of Vess’ last home games, Vess said she is not letting the end of her career get to her.
“There are a lot of lasts, but I couldn’t be doing it without the other five on the court,” Vess said. “It is important to me to be playing for them and not for myself.”
The senior put the team on her back against Campbell, racking up 15 kills along with a team high of 18 digs.
Liberty junior libero Margaret Latchford put herself in the Liberty record books in the match against Campbell, becoming the 12th most all-time dig leader for the Lady Flames. Latchford also holds the Liberty record for most digs within the first two seasons and currently averages nearly four digs per set, fifth best in the Big South Conference.
“It is really just a reflection of our team together and giving me the ability to have success,” Latchford said.
As the regular season ends, teams start to focus on playoffs. Flames head coach Shane Pinder, coaching his 14th year at Liberty, believes his team is just warming up.
“We are playing better ball lately,” Pinder said. “We are defending better and our offense is more productive.”
The Lady Flames play in their last home game Tuesday, Nov. 3, in a Halloween matchup against Radford University.