Coastal Carolina volleyball battled to a 3-2 home victory over Appalachian State on Saturday during their “Pink Out” match in support of breast cancer awareness.
“I mean we already come out here ready to fight but being out here fighting for the ones who have breast cancer gave us an extra groove, an extra push to go fight”, middle blocker Kibi Huggins said. “So, I think coming out, fighting for the young ladies who have lost their life or who were still battling breast cancer gave us that extra motive to keep going today.”
Fans filled the HTC Center in pink, rallying behind the Chanticleers and the cause.
The Chanticleers came out strong in the first set, led by outside hitter Anzley Rinard, who claimed the first point of the match.
Coastal found themselves in a familiar position from the night before, fighting desperately for every point and pushing themselves to stay disciplined.
Appalachian State, however, struggled to maintain focus and resorted to using taunts to attempt and distract their opponents.
Despite the Chanticleers’ consistency and composure, the Mountaineers edged out the first set, 27–25.
Coastal responded with renewed energy in the second set. Middle blocker Anna Rita delivered a powerful spike and Coastal re-entered the match with a complete energy shift leading 25-11.
The Chanticleers set the tone of the third set through Anzley Rinard delivering a lethal spike, claiming the first point.
Defensive specialist Bailee Earnhardt received the ball into a deep dig, leading to outside hitter Emma Van Elslande sending a solid spike against the Mountaineers, making the score 6-0.
Setter Jalyn Stout and outside hitter Emma Van Elslande backed the Chanticleers up in offense, Stout taking 18 kills while Van Elslande took six.
The Chanticleers took the third set with as much energy as they had when they entered the second set, 25-18.
Stout delivered a deep spike off the touch, taking the first point of the fourth set.
Appalachian State led for most of the fourth set and eventually took it, ending the set 25-22.
The Chanticleers and Mountaineers each claimed two sets and prepared to use all the energy that they had to obtain the fifth and final set.
The score stayed neck and neck, until the Chanticleers took the lead and the game 15-11.
“We know we have a good team, and we lost a couple of plays that we normally make in the first set,” head coach Steve Loeswick said. “They have some good players so when they were passing well in the first set, it made it difficult for us to get defensive points”
The Chanticleers will travel to Statesboro, Georgia, to face Georgia Southern University on Oct. 31 at 6 p.m.
