The Lady Bucs were able to bring home back-to-back wins against UNC Greensboro on Friday and Elon on Saturday.
The double wins raise the Bucs 7-22 to end their season, 5-11 in Southern Conference play.
It was a bittersweet win for the Lady Bucs as they end their season on a positive note, yet fall short of making it to the SoCon Tournament. Friday night’s game against UNC Greensboro went in ETSU favor 3-0 (30-27, 30-23, 30-16). The win dropped the Spartans to 3-30, 0-15 in SoCon action.
“We’re happy to come back and pull out a victory in three,” said ETSU coach Lindsey Devine.
The first game started with UNC Greensboro going up two before ETSU went on a four point run to make the score 4-3.
Numerous lead changes and ties occurred before ETSU took control of the game with six unanswered points at 21-17 and 27-21.
Callie Kiselich tallied a kill for the first game point. The Spartans were able to record one more before ETSU took the game.
The second game showed UNC Greensboro out front first. ETSU was trailing by four before the Lady Bucs tied the Spartans at 10-all.
At 12-12, the Lady Bucs went on a four-point run to make the game 16-12. Four more unanswered points gave the Bucs a 26-17 lead. The Spartans were able to rack up six points before Kiselich put the game away.
Michelle Mislan led the Bucs with five kills and a .455 hitting percentage the first game. Brittany Kessel was also a force with nine assists.
After the intermission the Lady Bucs kept the momentum going with three points out of the starting gate. UNC Greensboro went on a five-point run before ETSU answered back with their six-point gain.
With a Sara Scandiffio block, Kelsey Sherich ace and another Kiselich, the Lady Bucs were able to win the game and match. Kiselich led the Lady Bucs with 12 kills, four coming in the first game. Sara Scandiffio recorded 10 kills and four digs, while senior Karen Freeburg led the defense with 16 digs. Kessel contributed 22 assists, followed by Jennifer Sartor with 13.
“(We have to) come with the same competition, desire,” Devine said. “We’re playing as one team.”
On Saturday the Lady Bucs faced Elon, who beat them in their first meeting, 2-3. The Bucs were not about to let deja vu happen to them, beating the Phoenix 3-1 (30-25, 30-15, 24-30, 30-26).
Game one showed an impressive performance from Kiselich with six kills and two aces. In game two ETSU was able to close the game with a Katie Longden’s tip. Elon came back after the intermission with a 24-30 win.
The game stayed close until the Phoenix went on a four-point streak at 5-5 and 6-9. ETSU trailed by eight, before putting together a three-point run behind two blocks. Elon took game three 24-30. After the loss the Bucs came out on top 3-0.
Elon put together a five-point run to take the lead, 8-5. ETSU took the lead behind a Kessel, Kiselich block, 10-9. The game stayed tight until the end when Mislan tallied a pair of kills to end the game.
Sartor led the Bucs with 14 kills and 23 assists, along with Kiselich recording 13 kills and three aces and Kessel with 28 assists and nine kills.
Mislan and Longden got their names on the board with eight kills a piece. Lone senior Karen Freeburg ended her ETSU career with 32 digs against the Phoenix.
“We’re happy – it’s a great way to end the season,” Devine said.

Author