The Catawba women's volleyball team began its first weekend road trip of the season by traveling to South Atlantic Conference (SAC) foe Tusculum and left with a thrilling 3-2 victory and many personal bests.
Lillie Kate Rogers was exceptional, posting a career-high 22 kills. The junior also added 13 digs, three block assists and two service aces. Rebekah Ayers gave another solid showing by landing 13 attacks. Kendall Jones delivered a major breakout performance, recording career highs of seven kills and six blocks. Riley Hill registered a season-best 30 digs in a strong defensive effort. Sydney McCutcheon made her 2026 debut and led the blue and white with 27 assists, while Camden Bizot added 25.
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The team statistics were about as even as they come. Catawba (6-1, 2-1 SAC) led in total points 76-75, kills 59-57 and blocks 8-7. Tusculum (4-3, 1-2 SAC) had the upper hand in hitting percentage .107 to .104 and service aces 11-9 and committed 35 errors to the blue and white's 39.
The blue and white came off the bus swinging, recording a hitting percentage of .297 in the first set. They jumped out to an early 11-7 lead after Rogers delivered three kills. The Pioneers quickly cut their deficit to 16-15. The teams traded scoring and evened the set at 22-22. Rebekah Ayers and Rogers both landed attacks before Tusculum earned back the serve. The ensuing Pioneers serve hit the net, giving Catawba the 25-23 first-set win.
In the second stanza, it was Tusculum that delivered a fast start, leading 5-0. Four kills and a block assist from Rogers brought Catawba back, trailing just 14-13. However, the Pioneers made another run and held off the Catawba Indians to take the second set 25-20 and even the match.
The momentum appeared to be staying with the home team when Tusculum led the third frame 8-1 after a few Catawba misfires. The blue and white made a gutsy effort to stay within striking distance. Jones had a hand in back-to-back blocks and evened the score at 18. The Pioneers made a strong push, reclaiming a 24-21 lead. Annica Kagle and Maddie Henning then combined for a huge block. Giulia Allison came in to serve in the high-pressure situation and guided Catawba to its first lead of the set in an incredible 26-24 comeback win.
The crucial fourth set was a back-and-forth battle throughout. After consecutive attack errors from the Pioneers, Catawba led by a narrow 24-21 margin. Tusculum scored twice before the Catawba Indians seemingly won the match on a Sofia Beard kill. However, newly instituted video replay found a net violation on the blue and white, continuing the set. The teams traded points until the Pioneers scored three in a row and shocked Catawba 29-27 to force a fifth set.
The Catawba Indians responded in businesslike fashion to the momentum shift, gaining a 4-0 set-five advantage. Once again, Tusculum responded and evened the set at 10 apiece. Henning and Jones each delivered kills before Bizot gave the visitors a much-needed ace. Rogers scored the 14th point before Rebekah Ayers propelled Catawba to its first win at Pioneer Arena since 2018 with a forceful kill.
