Sept. 12, 2009
Post-Match Interview With Head Coach Tonya Johnson
ATLANTA – Sophomore Bailey Hunter had 19 kills as the Georgia Tech Volleyball team (6-2) defeated Southeast Missouri State (3-5), 3-1 (26-24, 22-25, 25-13, 25-20) Saturday afternoon in the Courtyard Classic at O’Keefe Gym.
The 19 kills for Hunter tied her career-high which she set in last night’s match against Clemson. For the second straight night and fourth time this season, freshman Monique Mead recorded a double-double with 12 kills and 14 digs, while seniors Chrissy DeMichelis (11) and Brittany Roderick (10) also had double-figure kills for the Yellow Jackets. Junior Jordan McCullers led the way with 24 digs and junior Mary Ashley Tippins paced the offense for Tech with five kills, 12 digs and 53 assists.
The first set was close throughout as the Jackets trailed for much of the way. SEMO led by three points at 18-15 before the Yellow jackets went on a run to hold set point at 24-22. The RedHawks fought off consecutive set points to tie the score at 24, but Tech rallied to win two straight points and take a 1-0 lead in the match. Hunter led the Jackets with seven kills while hitting .333 in the first set.
In the second set, Tech grabbed an early 7-2 lead but SEMO came back. The RedHawks eventually tied the set at 12 and then tried to build up their lead. It was 21-17 SEMO when the Jackets tried to mount a late come-back. They got within two points a couple of times, but SEMO was able to close it out and even the match at one set apiece. The Jackets hit just .179 in the set led by four kills apiece from Hunter and Mead.
The Yellow Jackets came back from intermission on fire and used a 9-1 run to put SEMO away early as they cruised to a 25-13 win in set three. It was a very balanced scoring attack for Tech as it hit .464 behind four kills apiece from Mead, Hunter and senior Chrissy DeMichelis.
In set four, SEMO led by as many as four points but the Yellow Jackets battled back and eventually tied the score at 16. The RedHawks went back up 17-16, but Tech took control from there. The Yellow Jackets went on to a 25-20 win and took the match.
Georgia Tech will close out the Courtyard Classic tonight by hosting Ole Miss at O’Keefe Gym beginning at 7 p.m. The match will be broadcast live on WREK, 91.1 FM and online at www.RamblinWreck.com. Follow along with live stats through Gametracker as well at www.RamblinWreck.com.
