Flagler FLG 15-11

Lander LU 22-5

Flagler FLG

15-11

Final

Dec. 07, 2024

Lander LU

22-5

Set Scores
Team	1	2	3	4	5	F
Flagler FLG	25	18	28	27	11	(2)
Lander LU	23	25	26	29	15	(3)

Summary
Box Score

Hailey Franklin

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball | 12/7/2024 8:18:00 PM | Hailey Franklin - Assistant Sports Information Director

Volleyball Makes History: Advances to Sweet Sixteen Behind Katie Miller’s Record-Breaking Night

Wingate, N.C. - In a match for the ages, the Lander volleyball team made history by defeating Flagler in a nail-biting five-set thriller to advance to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen for the first time in program history. The match at Cuddy Arena saw momentum swing wildly between the two teams, culminating in a dramatic 3-2 win for Lander (23-25, 25-18, 26-28, 29-27, 15-11).

"I am not surprised that match went five sets. That's to be expected when you play a team three times, but I have to give Flagler a great deal of credit," stated Head Coach Jeff Reynolds. "They played so well and are such a great team. That could have gone either way, and I'm so proud of our team for how they battled all match long. They showed a lot of poise, passion, and maturity."

Katie Miller was the undeniable hero of the night, delivering a historic performance with 33 kills, shattering the previous program record of 32 set by Melissa McCracken against Lees-McRae in 2009. Miller's record-tying effort is now the sixth-highest single-match kill total in Peach Belt Conference (PBC) history, making her the first player to achieve this feat in over a decade. Her contributions extended beyond scoring, as she added 20 digs and two service aces, solidifying her status as a force on offense and defense.

"Katie is such a tremendous player and an even better person," stated Reynolds. "Flagler did a nice job of shutting down our ability to distribute the ball, but Katie turned in an amazing performance and picked up the slack. I think we're all pretty glad she's on our team. That was an All-America performance for sure."

How it Happened

Flagler (15-11) started strong, taking the opening set 25-23, but the Bearcats responded with a dominant second-set performance, powered by a .286 hitting percentage. The third set was an epic battle, with Flagler edging out Lander 28-26. Refusing to back down, the Bearcats clawed their way to a 29-27 victory in the fourth set, showcasing their resilience and poise under pressure.

The decisive fifth set was all Lander, as they hit a blistering .391, closing out the match 15-11 to seal their place in the Sweet Sixteen.

While Miller's performance grabbed the headlines, the Bearcats' victory was a collective effort. Lauren Dow directed the offense masterfully, tallying a career-high 61 assists, while Blondie Penaflor and Olivia Dow anchored the defense with five blocks each. Madde Blake added a crucial 18 kills, and Emmi Cheek made a significant impact with 19 digs. It was a complete team effort from start to finish.

Final Thoughts

"We've been here three straight years, and our kids just had their minds made up that we weren't leaving early," said Reynolds.

Hear from Head Coach Jeff Reynolds, and Junior outside Katie Miller

UP NEXT

With this landmark victory, Lander continues its journey into uncharted territory. Riding high on the momentum of this historic win, Lander will face its next challenge in the Southeast Regional Final.

They are set to face the host and top-seeded Wingate on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 3 p.m. in the Cuddy Arena.

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