ETSU women’s volleyball participated in the High Point Invitational on Sept. 8-9. This is High Point’s 15th time hosting the tournament since 2002, and this year included three teams. ETSU started tournament play against High Point on Sept. 8, losing 3-0. The team challenged Davidson the following day and lost 3-1.

In the Lady Bucs’ first set against the High Point Panthers, a 6-0 run put the hosting team up 10-4. Later in the frame, another 6-0 run proved to be too much to come back from as the Bucs lost 25-12.

In the second set, ETSU came out sharp and played a back-and-forth game with the Panthers for most of the set. With seven ties and three lead changes, the set was highly competitive on both sides. High Point was able to overcome the hopeful Bucs with eight errors against six kills.

High Point finished the game in three sets against the Bucs. Jenna Forster (Maryville, Tenn.) was a bright spot for the Bucs in the third set, with four kills on five attacks.

On the last day of the tournament, ETSU faced Davidson and lost in four sets. Halfway through the first set, the two teams were tied at 12-12. The set was led mostly by Brianna Cantrell (Appleton, Wis.), who had eight kills and played a big part in the Bucs taking the set 25-20.

ETSU volleyball players Abbey Thomas and Terran Speake during the game against Davidson. (Contributed/ETSU Athletics)

After being held to a .184 hitting percentage in the first set, the Wildcats offense started to pick up the pace. Davidson had 16 kills on 32 tries and won the set 25-15.

In the third set, Davidson pulled a six-point lead, but the Bucs showed no lack of effort as they cut the lead to three, putting pressure on the Wildcats. After an ETSU attack error, Davidson regained momentum and took the set 25-19.

Having to battle from behind, ETSU could not contend with the 15 kills from Davidson in what was the final set of the night. Davidson kept things rolling with a 25-12 set win. In a small win for the Lady Bucs, Cantrell finished with a season-high 18 kills, falling just two short of matching her career-high.

ETSU will play on Sept. 15-16 in the Western Kentucky University Volleyball Invitational, with three teams on the slate for the Bucs.

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