By Devin McCullough
The UNC Pembroke volleyball team was firing on all cylinders Saturday at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court, delivering a commanding 3-0 (25-6, 25-22, 25-6) sweep over Erskine. The victory snapped a three-game skid for the Braves and showcased the team’s balanced offense and aggressive net play.
The Braves (13-13, 10-6 CC) were relentless from the start, hitting an impressive .360 as a team while recording 11 service aces. Both Abby Peduzzi and McKenna Hayes stood out in the offensive attack, combining for multiple kills and key blocks that kept Erskine struggling to gain momentum. Erskine (7-18, 5-12 CC), meanwhile, fell to 3-8 on the road this season and have now dropped three consecutive matches.
The first set set the tone for the evening. UNC Pembroke raced out to an early lead after a kill by Peduzzi, with Hayes and Peduzzi combining on several crucial blocks. The Braves’ dominance grew as Erskine struggled with attack errors, and Peduzzi closed out the set with a flurry of kills, including five of the final seven points, giving the hosts a decisive 25-6 victory.
Set two saw a more competitive effort from Erskine, who jumped to an early 2-0 lead. UNC Pembroke responded with a kill from Hayes to even the score at 2-2, and the teams exchanged points in a tense back-and-forth. The Braves regained control thanks to a series of service aces, including a pair from Anaya Carter, and maintained a slim lead late in the set. Despite Erskine’s late push, UNC Pembroke held on for a 25-22 win, with key contributions from Peduzzi and Hayes keeping the offense sharp and the net defense tight.
The third set returned to dominant form for the Braves. After an early kill by Addie Decker and two consecutive service aces from Peduzzi, UNC Pembroke built a 4-1 lead that they never relinquished. Hayes continued her strong performance at the net, contributing blocks that frustrated the Flying Fleet, while Savannah Whaley added multiple kills and a service ace to extend the lead. Consecutive attack errors by Erskine sealed the set, and the match, at 25-6.
Statistically, Peduzzi finished with a team-high 14 kills, 11 digs, three service aces, and two blocks, while Hayes added eight kills and two blocks to her night. Tyler Patterson led the team with 29 assists, helping facilitate a balanced offensive attack that kept the Braves in control throughout.
UNC Pembroke now looks ahead to a short road trip for the Battle of I-95 against Francis Marion in Florence, S.C., on Wednesday. First serve is set for 6 p.m. inside the Smith University Center.