Cobras Split Final Day of NGU Invitational

TIGERVILLE, S.C. – The Coker women's volleyball team split its final two matches of the NGU Invitational hosted by North Greenville University on Saturday (Sept. 6). The Cobras picked up a 3-2 victory against the Panthers of Clark Atlanta University in the first match of the day, but suffered a 3-1 loss to host North Greenville in their tournament finale.

In match one, the Panthers and Cobras duked it out in the opening set with the Panthers edging the Cobras 30-28. However, the resilient Cobras answered back with set two and three wins of 25-20 and 25-13, respectively. Clark Atlanta would weather the storm from Coker and force a fifth and final set with a 25-20 victory in the fourth. The fifth set would go back and forth, but the Navy and Yellow would capitalize on Panther errors to take the set 15-11 and the match 3-2.

Leading the way for Coker in the victory was Madison Bingle's double-double performance of 10 kills and a team-high 15 digs, while Alexis Berles added a match-high 13 kills. Christen Bragg registered a match-high 40 assists, five blocks and dug nine balls to pace the Cobra offense and defense.

In match two, Coker came out blazing as they took a commanding 1-0 lead after winning set one 25-17. North Greenville would answer with back-to-back wins in sets two (25-23) and three (25-23) to take a 2-1 lead into the fourth set. The fourth set would be tightly contested, but North Greenville would squeak out a 25-23 win to take the match 3-1.

Libby Merrifield tallied eight kills and five blocks to lead Coker's offense, while Megan Hardy registered eight kills and 12 digs. Bingle add seven kills and 12 digs of her own. Missy Reid led the Coker defense with 16 digs and Bragg dished out 30 assists to end the tournament with four matches of at least 30 assists.

The Navy and Yellow will return home for its next match on Wednesday (Sept. 10) against the Barton College Bulldogs. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. in the brand new Harris E. and Louise H. DeLoach Center.