By Dylan Branscome
The Davidson-Davie STORM won six straight sets to win both games on Sophomore Saturday against the USC Union Bantams (25-18, 25-11, 25-7) and the USC Sumter Fire Ants (25-17, 25-19, 25-20) this weekend. They now have an overall record of 25-5 on the season, and finished 13-1 at Brinkley.
In the game against the Bantams, Davidson was led by Anna Edwards with two aces and 11 kills, Carly Edwards with two aces and seven kills, and Kaitlyn McCoy with six kills. Chloe Painter also had 26 assists.
The first couple of sets were all STORM as they both defended and attacked effectively. Anna Edwards had five of her 11 kills in the first set alone, and Carly Edwards had both of her aces in the first set. Anna Edwards had three kills in a row to help seal the second set. The third set was highlighted by two straight aces from Brynna Boyer and two straight aces from Ciara Major, further proving their dominance in the clean sweep, capping it off with an ace from Anna Edwards.
The second match against the Fire Ants was led by Anna Edwards with 13 kills and six blocks, Carly Edwards with 10 kills, and Ciara Major with eight kills. This was a tight, back-and-forth game that kept the STORM on their toes, but they still ended up edging out USC Sumter.
The first set had both Carly Edwards and McCoy with five kills, and Major with three. Painter also had 12 assists and a couple of blocks. The second set was when Anna Edwards went nuclear and had nine kills and two blocks, truly showing her offensive prowess over the Fire Ants defense. The third set featured more mistakes on the Fire Ants side, while also showing the STORM taking advantage of those mistakes. Carly Edwards had four kills, Anna Edwards had three, and Major had two.
“I am so proud of this team,” said head coach Emma Carter. “We’re continuing to grow and move forward, and we’re ready to take on the rest of the season, including our conference game at Wake Tech on Tuesday.”
Painter is the lone sophomore on the STORM this year, and her leadership is valued both on and off the court by her coach and teammates.
“We will definitely miss her leadership both on and off the court,” Carter said. “She runs our offense as our setter with fire and passion. She will definitely be missed!”
The Davidson-Davie STORM return to action at Wake Tech for another conference game on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 6:00 P.M. EST.