Reinhardt Lady Eagles Volleyball Update
Head Coach: Jennifer Kandt
Season Record: 12-17 (.414), AAC: 8-12, (.400)
Facility: James and Sis Brown Athletic Center
Written By: Kraig Doremus
Coach Jennifer Kandt’s Reinhardt Lady Eagles volleyball squad is currently 12-17, with an 8-12 mark in conference play. The team is 8th in the Appalachian Athletic Conference standings and recently wrapped up conference action. In the past three games, the Lady Eagles have a record of a 2-1, defeating conference foes Columbia and Truett-McConnell but falling to St Andrews.
Over Halloween weekend, the ladies hit the road for two tough conference matchups. First, the Lady Eagles took on the St Andrews Knights, falling 3-1. Reinhardt took the first set from the Knights of SAU, scoring the final four points to secure a 25-22 victory. Unfortunately, that would be the only set the team won as they dropped the final three sets 25-22, 26-24, and 25-17. Senior Sam Croce led Reinhardt with a game-high 41 assists and 26 digs. Freshman Nancy Hatcher had 24 digs for the Lady Eagles, while junior Ally Hurd tallied 14 of the squad’s 49 kills. Sophomore Rachel Croce added 11 kills of her own for RU.
After playing St Andrews Friday night, the Lady Eagles traveled to Columbia, South Carolina to face the Columbia College Koalas. This was an important game for Reinhardt, as a win would keep its conference tournament hopes alive. The team handled the pressure, defeating Columbia 3-1. Reinhardt won the opening set 25-20, before allowing Columbia to tie the game at one set apiece with a 25-16 victory. The Lady Eagles closed out the match by narrowly defeating the Koalas in the final two sets, winning each by a 26-24 score. Sam Croce had another outstanding game, tallying 29 assists to go along with 7 kills. Junior Ally Hurd also turned in another impressive performance, leading all players in kills with 15. For the match, Reinhardt outhit Columbia .164 to .144. Columbia was led by senior setter Melissa Dixon who had a game-high 38 assists.
After defeating the Columbia Koalas on the road, the Lady Eagles returned to the James and Sis Brown Athletic Center to face the Truett-McConnell Bears. The game was senior night for the Reinhardt, as the team honored seniors Sam Croce and Katelyn Weinberg. The Lady Eagles dominated the Bears, defeating them 3-0 and securing a berth to the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament. Reinhardt pulled away to win the first two sets 25-17 and 25-20, but Truett did not go away easily in the final set of the night. In set three, there were 13 ties and 6 lead changes. Down 23-21, RU scored the final four points to secure the victory over TMC. Sam Croce had a spectacular senior night, registering 34 of Reinhardt’s 40 assists. Croce singlehandedly had more assists than the entire Truett-McConnell team, which ended the night with only 24. Junior Ally Hurd led RU with 14 kills, scoring the final point of the night, while senior Katelyn Weinberg had 11 of her own. Freshman Nancy Hatcher set a program record for digs in a three-set match with 27.
Next up, the Lady Eagles close out the regular season against the Brenau University Golden Tigers. First serve is set for 6:30 PM from the James and Sis Brown Athletic Center on Thursday, November 5.
Players
#1 Katelyn Wienbarg, SR, OH, 5-9, Waleska, GA
#2 Megan Schillo, JR, DS, 5-4, Odessa, FL
#3 Mary Ruth Wheeler, SO, RS, 5-11 Murfreesboro, TN
#4 Ansley Smith, JR, DS, 5-7, Powder Springs, GA
#5 Kersten Joyner, FR, S/RS, 5-7, Mobile, AL
#6 Nancy Hatcher, FR, L, 5-9, Columbus, GA
#8 Arden Fox, JR, DS, 5-6, Smyrna, TN
#10 Sam Croce, SR, S, 5-9, Alpharetta, GA
#11 Rachel Croce, SO, MB, 5-10, Alpharetta, GA
#12 Lindsey Higgins, SO, DS, 5-2, Ball Ground, GA
#14 Danielle Cutlip, SO, OH, 5-6, Austell, GA
#15 Angel Cornista, FR, DS, 5-6, Woodstock, GA
#16 Ally Hurd, JR, OH, 5-9, Gulf Breeze, FL
#17 Joanie Tenenbaum, FR, MB, 6-0, Kennesaw, GA
#18 Ashlyn Brandon, FR, MB, 5-10, Woodstock, GA
#21 Kayley Edgar, SO, DS, 5-7, Ball Ground, GA
Schedule
August
25 6:30 PM @ Life University L
28 3:00 PM vs. Freed-Hardeman University W
5:00 PM vs. University of Pikeville W
29 10:00 AM vs. Purdue University Calumet W
2:00 PM @ Shawnee State University L
September
1 6:30 PM vs. Point University W
5 10:00 AM @ Dalton State College L
4:00 PM vs. Life University L
11 6:30 PM vs. Milligan College W
12 1:00 PM @ Tennessee Wesleyan College L
15 6:30 PM @ (RV) Bryan College L
18 6:30 PM vs. Bluefield College W
19 1:00 PM vs. Union College (KY) L
22 6:30 PM @ Truett-McConnell College L
25 6:30 PM vs. Montreat College W
30 6:30 PM @ Brenau University W
October
2 6:30 PM @ Union College (KY) L
3 1:00 PM @ Bluefield College L
6 6:30 PM vs. (RV) Bryan College W
9 6:30 PM vs. St. Andrews University L
10 4:00 PM vs. Columbia (SC) College L
13 6:30 PM @ Point University L
17 11:00 AM vs. Tennessee Wesleyan College L
19 4:00 PM vs. Dalton State College L
23 6:30 PM @ Milligan College L
24 1:00 PM @ Montreat College W
30 6:30 PM @ St. Andrews University L
31 1:00 PM @ Columbia (SC) College L
November
3 6:30 PM vs. Truett-McConnell College W
5 6:30 PM vs. Brenau University