RICHMOND, Ky. – September 9, 2023
In a match-up of two teams that went 2-0 in the Geri Polvino Invitational (GPI) on Friday, Eastern Kentucky University’s volleyball team defeated Chattanooga, 3-0, on Saturday to claim the GPI Championship.
On their way to extending their current winning streak to seven straight matches and claiming the GPI title, the Colonels (8-2) beat Murray State, Georgia State and Chattanooga without losing a single set. The Racers began the tournament with a 5-1 record. The Mocs entered the championship match with an 8-1 mark.
EKU’s Carson Ledford was chosen as the GPI MVP. In three matches, the sophomore middle blocker averaged 3.00 kills and 0.67 blocks while hitting .462. She made only three attack errors in 52 attempts.
Against UTC, Ledford finished with a match-best 12 kills, one error and a .478 attack percentage. She also blocked four attacks and had two digs.
The Colonels broke open a close set midway through the first. Clinging to a 12-11 lead, EKU scored five of the next six to push out in front by five. Sarah Mitchell’s kill made it 17-12. An ace from Kambree Lucas kept the lead at five, 23-18. Ledford finished off the first set with back-to-back kills for a 25-18 win.
EKU scored the first two points and led the entire second set. A kill from Emilee Hill and a UTC attack error gave the home team a 10-3 lead. The Mocs never got closer than three the rest of the way as the Colonels took the set 25-18.
Chattanooga had an 8-7 lead on a block by Marcelle Baez-Carlo in the third, attempting to keep the match alive. However, the Colonels answered with a 12-2 run. A kill by Paige Wagers finished it off and staked her team to a 19-10 lead. Chloe Mason’s kill ended it for a third straight 25-18 win.
Hill had five kills, 17 assists, 12 digs and an ace. Wagers contributed seven kills and a .600 attack percentage to go along with four blocks.
Gylian Finch led Chattanooga with 11 kills while hitting .281.
The Colonels will be back in action on Friday at the Winthrop Invitational. EKU will play Winthrop at 6 p.m. EKU will take on Virginia Commonwealth on Saturday at 2 p.m.
