Senior Night brings victory for Lady Flames volleyball

• Strong showing by the entire Lady Flames team led by three seniors led to Liberty’s victory 3-0 over Gardner-Webb.
• Seniors reminisce about bonding during bus rides and dance parties and their relationships with the other girls in their class.

The Vines Center crowd erupted in cheers during Senior Night Friday, Oct. 27 as the volleyball grazed the hand of a Gardner-Webb player before harmlessly hitting the court floor, signaling the end of the match and a Liberty victory 3-0.

Prior to the first set, three Lady Flames seniors were recognized for their accomplishments over the course of their careers.

Senior outside hitter Gabrielle Vess took advantage of senior night’s big stage, recording 10 kills and 11 digs, adding on to her previous career total of 663 kills and 489 digs.

“I think we all played together,” Vess said. “I think we were all playing for each other so that always makes it nice. I think a big team goal is just the little things and not get beat on the easy plays. And I think that’s a personal goal and a team goal together.”

Despite the Lady Flames seniors leading the way, the majority of the Lady Flames roster contributed to the victory.

“I just wanted to see the seniors contribute the way they did tonight,” head coach Shane Pinder said. “We’ve got a lot of moving parts that can come in and help us win any given night and that’s fun to watch.”

The first set was certainly fun for the fans at the Vines Center to watch as the Lady Flames claimed the set’s first six points before surrendering five of the next seven to the Bulldogs.

The 6-foot-3-inch sophomore Anna Gragg finished the night with 21 total attempts and 10 kills. One of Gragg’s spikes late in the first set gave the Lady Flames the momentum they needed to finish the set three points later 25-21.

The Bulldogs started the second set with an early lead before allowing the Lady Flames to score four straight points.

Liberty senior middle blocker Sirena Vorster helped lead the Lady Flames second set comeback, finishing the night with 19 total attempts and seven kills.

“Peak when it matters,” Vorster said. “We talked about that a lot.”

The third set started with an early Lady Flames lead that was soon erased after Vorster’s spike rocketed out of bounds.

Late in the set the loud speaker announced the potential game point. The Vines Center crowd rose to its feet and erupted in cheers following Vess’ spike that concluded the third set 25-19 and also ended the game.

“Gabby Vess had a great night,” Pinder said. “(She) had great poise out on the paint attacking, great swing when we needed it. And she hit about as hard a ball as I’ve seen her hit in that last play.”

Following the game, the three Lady Flames seniors reminisced about their favorite memories throughout their Liberty careers.

“The locker room is always fun,” Vess said. “It’s where everyone can just be themselves and be open towards each other… and bus rides. Bus rides are fun.”

“I would say bus rides,” Vorster said. “Bus rides and dance parties and just having fun.”

“I would say the special bond that you create with your class,” Anna Willey said. “There was like, seven of us I think originally and we’re the final three. But just the relationship that we’ve built off and on the court is special.”

Despite having to share time on the court this season, Willey is eighth in program history with 2,484 career assists.

“She came right in when we needed her,” Pinder said. “That’s a credit to this team.”

The Lady Flames will compete in their final home game Tuesday, Oct. 31, against Radford University, followed by a match against Presbyterian College Friday, Nov. 3, in South Carolina.