Women's Volleyball Ends Their 2019 Season after Heartbreaker

By Bryant Marks
SPARTANBURG, SC -- The season came to an end for the women's volleyball team of Richard Bland College of William & Mary after they lose an all-out five-set game against Spartanburg Methodist in the Region X Championship Match, on Saturday (25-14, 20-25, 25-23, 22-25, 18-20)

The Statesmen finish the season 14-13.

The ladies played their hearts out on the court as they had the opportunity to win each set played.  They opened the match and looked to be the dominant team but would encounter a strong Spartanburg rally in the second set to equal it up 1-1.  RBC would go on to edge their opponents in the third set while Spartanburg squeaked out a set win in the fourth to force a fifth set.  During the fifth Spartanburg would jump out to an early lead and even lead by 4 points at one point.  The Statesmen fought their way back to even up the score and each team would go back and forth point for point until it got all the way to 18-18.  After several long rallies where the Statesmen defense was flying all around the court, Spartanburg scored two points back to back to win the set and the match, 3-2.

For RBC Ayanna Swan finished with 29 kills, 2 blocks, and 12 digs, Heather Phelps had 11 kills, 3 aces, and 6 blocks, and Anna Ney totaled 54 assists, 14 digs, and 2 aces.

After the match Region X Conference awards were announced.  Outside hitter Emma Lazerson and setter Anna Ney were named to the All-Conference Team.  To cap off her strong season, Ayanna Swan was named the Region X Conference Player of the Year for the Statesmen.

The team can be sure to use this game is a great learning moment and will be sure to remember this moment as they prepare for next season.  With that being said though, these ladies laid everything they had on the court today and should feel nothing but proud of their efforts!