Gilmore Leads Cobras to Sweep at LMU

HARROGATE, TN -  Sophomore Cayla Gilmore's career-best 19 kills led the Coker volleyball team to a 3-0 victory over Lincoln Memorial on Friday evening inside the Mary Mars Gymnasium. The Cobras claimed the South Atlantic Conference match: 25-20, 25-11, 25-23.

The win snapped Coker's 10-match losing skid and earned the season sweep over LMU. 

BY THE NUMBERS:

Coker 9-16 (5-11 SAC) | Lincoln Memorial (10-16, 6-11 SAC)

• Coker picked up its first road win since Sept.19 at Emory & Henry. 

• The Cobras hit .370 with 49 kills in the three-set win.

• Coker recorded seven total blocks. 

TOP PERFORMERS:

Cayla Gilmore: career-high 19 kills, .500 hitting percentage, 2 block assists

Pelin Aksoy: 9 kills, .364 hitting percentage, 2 block assists

McKay Kasper: 7 kills, .500 hitting percentage, 1 block solo, 4 block assists

Cheyenne Bird: 22 assists, 9 digs

Maddy Roberts: 16 assists, 1 service ace 

HOW IT HAPPENED

Set 1: Coker struck first and never trailed on its way to an opening-set win. LMU managed to even the score three times, including at 11–11, but the Cobras responded with six of the next eight points to seize control. Coker's offense was sharp throughout, finishing the set with a .467 hitting percentage.

Set 2: LMU opened with leads of 2–0 and 4–2 before the Cobras answered with three straight points to move in front for the first time. Holding an 11–9 advantage, Coker broke the set open with an 8–0 run, then closed it out by scoring six of the final seven points to take a 2–0 match lead.

Set 3: LMU again jumped ahead early at 2–0 and 5–3, but Coker countered with a 5–0 run to grab the lead for good. The Railsplitters pulled within one several times, yet the Cobras held firm each time and finished off the sweep.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Coker returns home next week for the final two matches of the regular season. The Cobras welcome Lenoir-Rhyne To the DeLoach Center on Tuesday for a 7 PM South Atlantic Conference match. The match will be broadcast on FloSports.