March 26, 2012

by Koby Padgett
Assistant Media Relations Director

COLUMBIA, S.C. – In its first non-traditional event of 2012, South Carolina won six of its eight volleyball sets during the Gamecock Spring Bash at the Volleyball Competition Facility.

Playing two sets against each foe, the Gamecocks started and ended the day with commanding sweeps of USC Upstate (25-13, 25-19) and Kennesaw State (25-9, 25-14). In between, the squad split against Wake Forest (24-26, 25-19) and Coastal Carolina (25-15, 23-25).

Paige Wheeler earned high honors for her back-row work, making seven digs against the Atlantic Sun’s Spartans and Owls and nine vs. the Demon Deacons. She also added four aces against Kennesaw State, while Cara Howley had three. The team posted a .458 hitting percentage against the Owls, led by Bethanie Thomas’s seven kills and Megan Kent’s five.

Kent had three solo blocks against USC Upstate, while against Coastal, she added five kills. Juliette Thévenin had 23 kills combined against Wake Forest and Coastal, hitting .500 against the Demon Deacons. Christina Vereb tallied two solo blocks against the Chanticleers.

“We had an overall good day on Saturday,” commented Gamecock head coach Scott Swanson, “going 6-2 and experimenting with various lineups. All 10 players got significant playing time and experience, which is what the spring season is all about. We passed and served at a very high level and learned that we need to improve our blocking and attacking for the upcoming tournament at Wake Forest on Saturday.”

The Gamecocks continue their spring season at the Wake Forest Spring Invitational, taking on Gardner-Webb, Elon, High Point and the hosts in a similar-style event in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Wake Forest Spring Invitational Schedule
10 a.m. – Elon
11 a.m. – High Point
1 p.m. – Wake Forest
2 p.m. – Gardner-Webb