DAYTON, Tennessee — After winning its first three volleyball matches in the National Association of Christian Athletes Tournament on Wednesday, Columbus Christian won three more on Thursday to earn a spot in the Division I bracket for today’s tournament.
The Crusaders (27-4) beat Heritage (Greenville, Tennessee) 18-25, 25-20, 15-10, Indy Genesis 24-25, 25-18, 15-10 and Asheville (North Carolina) Trailblazers, 25-21, 18-25, 15-8. Columbus Christian’s first game today will be against Calumet Christian, the team that beat the Crusaders in the ICSAA state final.
Lauren Hunnicutt pounded 17 kills and four solo and one block assist, and Hannah Stair recorded 36 assists and eight aces on the day to lead the Crusaders. Kayla Jones tallied 36 digs.
Also for Columbus Christian, Madison Henderson notched 11 kills, 20 digs and seven aces; Ellie Ridder had nine kills, two block assists, eight digs, three aces; and Emily Stair added two kills, five assists, 16 digs and five aces. AnnMarie Gandy contributed six kills and two solo and one assist block, and Hannah Stair added three kills and eight digs.
The Columbus Hawks (6-28-3) fell to Collegedale (Tennessee) Christian 25-21, 25-19; Reynolds Mount (North Carolina) 25-18, 25-17 and Dayspring Christian (Virginia) 25-24, 25-17 and will play in today’s Division IV tournament.
Caleigh Owen led the Hawks with five kills and three aces. Sarah Lorimor recorded nine assists, Natalie Arnold tallied 15 digs and McKiah Shearer served three aces.
Also for the Hawks, Lorimor notched four kills and 14 digs, and Emilee Ruddick and Abby Planalp each pounded three kills. Caleigh Owen had two assists, Hailey Beth Rutledge contributed 13 digs and Elisabeth White added 12 digs and two aces.
