Greensboro, N.C. - The Greensboro College Volleyball team is continually improving right before our very eyes. What was once a team that was discussed with tempered expectations, is now evolving into a team in the discussion to win the USA South Athletic Conference Volleyball Championship. On Wednesday night, the Pride moved to 3-1 in the conference and back to .500 on the season with a three-set to none victory over Brevard College.

Set 1 was a back-and-forth affair with the Tornados taking a quick 7-5 lead, but the Pride scored a quick 3 points on a service ace by Lauren Mantel sandwiched between a pair of Kantley McKown kills. However, the Tornados would stay right on the heels of the Pride as the lead would see-saw back and forth until the Pride found themselves up 17-16 as the set wound down. A couple of Tornado miscues and a couple of "slammers" from Mantel and McKown would increase the lead to a comfortable 21-16 as the Pride would seize control for a 25-21 victory and match lead.

Set 2 would see the Pride methodically build a lead which stretched to 22-15 before the resilient Tornados would reel off 6 straight points, due to their own power game and several Pride errors. However, Coach Kevin Troup's troops would take advantage of two Tornado errors and a kill by Taylor Cotie that would put the finishing touches on a 25-21 set victory and a commanding 2-0 set lead in the match.

A casual observer would have thought the Tornados would simply show up for Set 3 and the Pride would conquer easily. But with all due respect, walking into historic Hanes Gym with a 2-10 record, the Tornados could have simply gone through the motions in this "win or go home" set. But that was not the case as they jumped to a quick 11-9 lead with designs of hanging around a little while longer. Once the lead grew to 14-11 the Pride decided to move into high gear while the Tornado's bus driver gathered his keys and started heading that way.

From that point the Pride would enjoy their best scoring run of the night as they battered the Tornados with their youthful power game as McKown, Taylor, Kelci Brooks, and Abey Hancock would send missiles to that hardwood that could not be returned. All the while, Jaylyn "The Maestro" Templeton was serving up assists to aid the power surge. The Tornados would not recover and be defeated 25-20 as the Pride would move to into a second-place tie in the conference, only undefeated William Peace in the USA South standings.

Following the victory, Pride Head Coach Kevin Troup had these thoughts: "The Pride played well tonight. We were able to get into groove offensively at times and it paid off. Even though Brevard's record may not indicate it now, they have a good team, and we were able to score points in runs with tough serves and solid defense to beat them."

The Greensboro College Volleyball team will be traveling to Methodist University (7-8 overall, 2-2 USA South) on Sunday, October 2nd, for a tri-match with Methodist University and Meredith College. Contests are scheduled to begin at 1:00PM and 3:00PM. 

For more information on GC Volleyball, please visit www.greensborocollegesports.com.