Box Score LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Franklin College volleyball team was in search of their fourth straight win on Wednesday (Sept. 8) night, when they made the short trip south to take on the Spalding Eagles.
The Grizzlies (4-1) got all they could handle across three sets from the Eagles (0-4) but wouldn't be denied as their winning streak extended 25-20, 25-19, 25-21.
How it Happened
Franklin pulled away from the Eagles early in the first set, ripping off an 8-2 run that made it a 14-8 contest. Spalding clawed back within striking distance as the set wore on before the Grizzlies grabbed four of the final five points in the game to take a one-game lead. Franklin hit .297 in the set and Makalyn Miller led the offense with seven kills.
Game two saw the Eagles come out swinging to take an early 8-2 lead, but Franklin countered with 10 of the next 14 points to tie things at 12 and force a Spalding timeout. Franklin's onslaught continued out of the break as they took the next six points, putting game two out of reach.
The final game saw both teams struggle to find a rhythm on the attack. Down by a pair at the midway point, Franklin rattled of a 7-1 run to take a 21-17 lead but the Eagles would rally back to square things up at 23 and force an FC timeout. A Spalding service error gave serve back to Franklin and Miranda Wilson ended the match with her 11th kill of the night.
Inside the Box Score
-Miller had a night on the pins for Franklin, leading the team with 16 kills on a .436 hitting percentage. She also chipped in with 14 digs, giving her a double-double in those two categories in three straight matches.
-Wilson also recorded her third double-double of the year, digging up 12 balls to go along with her 11 kills. The Indianapolis-native leads Franklin with 60 kills through the first five matches.
-The Grizzlies hit .171 as a team while the defense held Spalding to just .033 attacking on the night. Allison Thompson led the way with 19 digs on the back line and Chloe Holder led the FC blockers with four rejections.
-Billie Jarrett racked up 34 more assists as the primary setter for FC.
Up Next
Franklin continues the campaign this weekend with another trip to Ohio for a joint tournament hosted by Capital and Otterbein. The Grizzlies will play Mount Union on Friday (Sept. 10) night, with first serve coming at 7:00 p.m.
