Shauna Cook
The Corsair
The Lady Pirates volleyball team won the second match of the Pirate Challenge in close sets against Faulkner State Sept. 30 in the Hartsell Arena. The Lady Pirates took the match with 3 wins: 28-26, 25-19, and 25-14.
In the first set, Lady Pirates were down 11 and felt the pressure but remained focused and determined.
“We have a tendency to fall behind so I think we were all super nervous because we were behind, but then we picked up the momentum and kept getting kills and more kills and before we knew it, we were caught up,” said Megan Gorey, who had 12 kills in the match.
By the end of the set, the Lady Pirates needed 1 to win. Faulkner State scored to put the set at a tie. The Lady Pirates scored and Faulkner State would score to remain a tie. Back and forth to stay tied, the Lady Pirates stepped it up for the win. Although under pressure, the Lady Pirates remained confident and pulled through.
“I believe that’s why we started off so slowly. We had a little bit of over confidence going into it,” said Head Coach Chris Laird. “When you’re down 11 to 1, you start to wonder what’s going on. They were phenomenal and I’m very proud of them being able to come back but it bothered me a little because it took so long to do it.”
The Lady Pirates were able to rest up after their match with Jeff Davis while Faulkner State played Andrew College.
“Faulkner State was a little more prepared and just got done playing a match so they were still in competition mode. They have good athletes and are well coached like both teams. Faulkner State had some bigger athletes which made a difference,” Laird said.
Megan Gorey: 12 kills and 6 digs
Sarah Guidry: 9 kills and 15 digs
Jordan Cangelosi: 7 kills and 3 digs
Emily Guidry: 7 kills and 3 digs
Karson Hinds: 36 assists, 1 kill, and 7 digs
Shantel Federick: 13 digs