After the cancellation of matches last weekend due to Hurricane Helene, ODU Volleyball resumed play in Norfolk and secured a comprehensive victory over Coastal Carolina in a two-day series, signaling the start of their Sun Belt Conference campaign. The Lady Monarchs advanced their overall record to 13-2 (2-0 Sun Belt) and extended their winning streak to eight matches.
The Monarchs were scheduled to commence conference play last weekend against Georgia Southern, but due to Hurricane Helene, the matches were canceled. The Monarchs entered the series on an eight-game win streak, while the Chanticleers were coming off back-to-back 3-0 sweeps against Marshall.
Coastal Carolina initiated the first set of the first game by winning three out of four rallies, but ODU responded with a 5-0 run, establishing a lead that they maintained throughout the set. The Monarchs led 15-9 at the halfway point, with both teams trading points for the remainder of the set. ODU closed out the set with a 25-16 win, aided by a service error and service ace.
The second set did not see a Chanticleer lead. Two attack errors and kills from Conway and Hailee Blankenship propelled the Monarchs to an early 4-0 run, bringing the score to 7-2. Coastal Carolina only earned one more point before another 4-0 run from ODU. The Chants prevented further long runs, but a 3-0 run late in the set put ODU at match point. Coastal Carolina broke the run with a kill from DiLara Unal, but Maggi’s kill ended the set with another 25-16 win.
ODU held a brief lead at the start of the third set, but a 5-0 run from Coastal Carolina put them down 8-5, aided by errors on ODU’s end and three kills between Emma Van Elslande and Jayln Stout. A 6-0 run helped the Chanticleers secure a comfortable lead for the remainder of the set. The Monarchs attempted a comeback but fell short, resulting in a 25-12 win for Coastal Carolina and forcing a fourth set.
The fourth set began with three consecutive tied scores, but ODU pulled ahead, and a pair of kills from Conway brought the Monarchs up 13-6. ODU went on a 6-0 run, leading to a 25-16 win, giving ODU a 3-1 match victory.
In the first match, the Monarchs led in aces (12-2) and digs (57-54), while the Chanticleers led in kills (46-41) and assists (44-38). Both teams tied in blocks with eight each. Stout and Conway tied in kills with 16 each, while Lowery and Unal tied with four blocks each. Ashlynn Belcher had the most assists with 26, while Coastal Carolina’s Sydney Lewis had the most digs with 17.
In the second game, Coastal Carolina took an early lead with a 3-0 run and maintained it throughout the first set. They extended their lead with a 4-0 run, reaching a score of 15-8 fueled by two service aces and two kills from Lauren Malone. Despite ODU scoring a few points, Coastal Carolina secured the set with a 25-12 score through a late 6-0 run, attributed to several kills and errors.
The second set began similarly, with ODU initiating a 3-0 run. The lead changed hands five times by the halfway point. After trading points, ODU reached match point at 24-23, ultimately winning the set with a Conway kill.
ODU initially led in the third set, but Coastal Carolina rallied, taking an 18-15 lead after a 3-0 run. The Monarchs tied the score at 20-20 and closed the set with a 5-0 run, winning 25-20.
The fourth set began close, but a 9-0 run from ODU pushed them to victory, leading 14-7 at the halfway point. Bryanna Jones contributed four kills within the run, with Alice Munari and Lowrey adding three more. ODU secured a 3-1 match victory and a series sweep with a final kill from Munari.
ODU led in blocks (9-8) during the second set and tied Coastal Carolina in digs with 39. Despite the loss, the Chants led in kills (47-44), assists (42-36), and aces (10-6). Belcher and Lowrey led in digs and blocks with 19 and 6, respectively, while Stout achieved an 11-kill, 21-assist, and 11-dig double-double.
This victory extends ODU’s win streak to 10, placing them alongside Texas State, App. State, and Georgia Southern as undefeated in conference play.
ODU will be hosting App. State on Friday, October 11, and Saturday, October 12, continuing their homestand. With a current record of 3-2 against the Mountaineers, the Monarchs secured their first-ever victory in September 2021, followed by splitting the next two series. App. State will arrive in Norfolk on a three-match win streak after their matches against Louisiana were canceled.
