Women’s Volleyball hosts the first day of the Tornado Challenge

Women’s Volleyball hosts the first day of the Tornado Challenge

Joseph Marvin: Assistant Sports Information Director

Brevard, N.C. – The Brevard College Women's Volleyball team kicked off the "Tornado Challenge" today at Boshamer Gymnasium on the campus of Brevard College. The early season tournament features 8 total teams competing in 10 games across two venues in the area. Brevard, Emory & Henry, Greensboro, Guilford, Meredith, Pfeiffer, and William Peace compete at both Boshamer Gymnasium at Brevard College as well as the Xcel Sportsplex in Hendersonville, N.C.

The Tornado Challenge marks the second tournament that Brevard has competed in, as Anna Grant's squad competed at the Rhodes College Invitational in Memphis, Tn. last week. The Tornados will compete in the Averett University Invitational next weekend in Danville, Va. before heading into conference play.

Meredith 3, Brevard 0

The Meredith College Avenging Angels (4-2) took the opening match of the Tornado Challenge by sweeping the Tornados (0-6); 25-19, 25-19, 25-19. Brevard showed resiliency throughout the match, battling in the first set to a 10-10 tie, holding a late 19-18 lead in the second set, and only trailing 20-19 late in the third set. But when each set was up for grabs late, Meredith was able to capitalize and pull away late in each set, taking advantage of their ability to substitute frequently.

A handful of Tornados amassed career highs in this first matchup. Freshman Hannah Gordon tallied a new career high of 23 assists in her young Tornados career.  Freshman Sydney Fox was the only player for Brevard with double-digit kills, collecting 11 of them, also earning a career high. Freshman Libero Mariana Rodriguez continued to add to her impressive dig totals on the season, leading the team with 13.

Emory & Henry 3, Brevard 0

The Wasps were able to sting the Tornados early in this contest, sweeping Brevard in straight sets      (25-17, 25-20, 25-12). Before ultimately being shut down in the third set, Brevard made a comeback bid in the second. The Tornados cut the lead to 22-19 late in the second set before falling to the Wasps. Sydney Fox had seven kills and 10 digs to lead the Tornados while Jordan Lloyd added six kills and seven digs. Hannah Gordon put up a double-double with 13 assists and 13 digs.

Next up: Brevard will square off with William Peace at 12:00 pm before closing the Tornado Challenge out with a matchup against Pfeiffer at 4:00 pm. Fans are encouraged to come out and support the Tornados at the Xcel Sportsplex in Hendersonville, N.C. $5 admission gets fans access to all seven matches on two courts Saturday.

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