By Devin McCullough
The UNC Pembroke volleyball team showcased a strong performance on Friday evening, sweeping Barton in straight sets 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-19) at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court. The Braves hit an impressive .296 from the net and recorded seven service aces in the victory. With this win, UNC Pembroke improved to 9-7 overall and 6-2 in Conference Carolinas play, boosting their home record to 6-2 on the season. The Braves have now won their last 10 meetings against Barton. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, dropped to 5-12 overall and 2-8 in conference play, suffering their fourth consecutive loss and falling to 1-6 on the road.
In the first set, the Braves established an early lead with kills from Addie Decker and Savannah Whaley, while a key service ace from Anaya Carter sparked a crucial 4-0 run that extended the advantage. Abby Peduzzi played a pivotal role throughout the set, delivering important kills that helped secure a 25-18 win. The second set saw UNC Pembroke start strong again, with Decker and Whaley driving the offense and Peduzzi continuing to pressure the Bulldogs. The Braves maintained control and closed the set out 25-15. In the final set, Pembroke jumped out to a 4-0 lead with strong contributions from Whaley and Emily Collings. Peduzzi fueled the team’s momentum with multiple kills and back-to-back service aces that extended the lead. Despite a late rally from Barton, the Braves held firm and sealed the match with a kill from Peduzzi.
Abby Peduzzi led UNC Pembroke with 15 kills, 13 digs, a block, and two service aces. Savannah Whaley added 14 kills and two blocks, while Addie Decker contributed 11 kills. Setter Tyler Patterson was instrumental in facilitating the offense with 24 assists. Defensively, Anaya Carter led the team with 15 digs and two service aces, and Deorri Gaines anchored the block with four total. The Braves now turn their attention to hosting Francis Marion on Tuesday for the Battle of I-95 and Dig Pink Night. The match is set to begin at 6 p.m. at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court with free admission for all fans.