The Pride volleyball team knocked off Ferrum 3-1 in its USA South opener on Tuesday night. Greensboro moves to 8-2 overall with a weekend road trip to Colorado on the horizon.
The night got off to a rough start for The Pride, as Ferrum raced out to early first set leads of 7-1 and 10-2. Greensboro finally awoke, running off nine straight points to take an 11-10 lead. The Pride gradually stretched the lead before closing out the set with a 25-20 win.
The second set went back and forth in the early goings with Greensboro holding a 7-6 lead. The Pride siezed control from there, with a 5-0 spurt to grab a 12-6 advantage. The margin would balloon to as many as ten points as Greensboro rolled to a 25-15 victory and a 2-0 match lead.
The Panthers would not go down without a fight, however, stunning The Pride in the third set with a 25-13 win to stay alive.
Ferrum came out tough again in the fourth, hanging close with Greensboro throughout the set. The biggest lead would be four points as The Pride continually fought off Panther rallies. Ferrum closed to within 24-22 late but Cortland Phillips tallied the decisive kill to finish off the match.
Liz Widenhouse was the only Greensboro player to reach double digits in kills with 11. After earning USA South Rookie of the Week honors on Monday, Phillips recorded 28 assists and seven digs in the winning effort. Danielle Simpson added 12 digs while Siarra Cates chipped in with 11.
The Pride leave for Colorado this week with matches scheduled against Colorado College on Friday and Saturday. Greensboro will play at 8 p.m. EST on Friday and 1 p.m. EST on Saturday.