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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Camels split day two of the Courtyard Mayo Classic and move to 4-6 on the season. Campbell fell in the first game of the day to Florida Atlantic in three sets and then went on to defeat the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman 3-0 in game two. Rachel Harty finished the day with 18 kills and three blocks and was named to the Courtyard Mayo Classic All-Tournament team.
"I though Rachel did a great job on the right side both blocking and attacking," said head coach Greg Goral. "She made really good plays when the ball came her way and she definitely earned her All-Tournament laurels."
Florida Atlantic def. Campbell 3-0
The Camels fell in the first match of the day to FAU in three sets (25-16, 26-24, 25-21). Campbell finished the match with 31 kills and 30 assists on offense while tallying 48 digs and seven blocks on defense.
"This morning we played well," said Goral. "FAU is just a really polished team with talented attackers and we just couldn't key in on one attacker."
The Orange and Black started the first set off slow allowing the Owls to lead 12-6 as the first timeout was called. The Camels came out of the timeout out of rhythm and managed to score just two points (19-8) before they called their second timeout of the match to change their game plan. Campbell exited the break scoring on a few kills but ran out of time to catch the Owls who took the set 25-12.
Campbell came into the second set on roll trading points back and forth with the Owls to tie and take the lead a few times. At the first timeout they trail just three points 15-12. Resuming play the Owls took advantage of a couple of Camel errors and at the second timeout held a 21-15 lead. The Orange and Black came back to tie the game 23 all after an FAU timeout keeping the game close until the Owls clinched the set 26-24 on a Campbell attack error.
"Had the opportunity to win game two but let them get away there at the end" said Goral.
As the third set commenced the Camels again fought hard and kept the match close tying the set at seven before the Owls snuck away. At the timeout the Camels trailed 18-12 but got on a roll after action resumed scoring nine points to come within four as the Owls claimed the third and final set 25-21.
"I thought we played well against them overall, we just gave them some runs and were unable to catch back up," Goral said. "The team had a good mindset and was poised even when they were down against a very good FAU squad."
Harty and Jessica Stocking both tallied six kills for the Camels against the Owls. Rebecca Ramirez dished out 20 of the Camels 30 assists help the offense gain their 31 kills. Mary Crema dug the ball 12 times to lead the defense while Ramirez and Stocking were close behind with nine digs each.
Campbell def. Bethune-Cookman 3-0
Campbell won its second game of the day defeating Bethune-Cookman in three sets (25-21, 25-21, 25-20) to cap off the Courtyard Mayo Classic.
The Orange and Black started off the first set playing catchup allowing the Wildcats to reach the first timeout with a 12-6 lead primarily on errors. After the break the team kicked it into gear climbing within one (17-16) as Bethune-Cookman called their first timeout. After resuming play the Camels tied the game at 17 and took the lead never to relinquish control and finishing the set 25-21.
As the second set got underway the two teams battled for control tying the score several times before the Camels gained the advantage on kills by McKenzie Fell and Harty. Campbell held a 19-17 lead at the first timeout and after the break pulled ahead to finished the set 25-21.
The Camels went into set three leading the match 2-0 and needed one more to seal the deal. The set started much like the previous two as the teams fought for control. The turing point in the set came on kill by Jenny Tait that put the Camels up two points (6-4) and a little buffer to separate themselves from the Wildcats. Bethune-Cookman called the first timeout as the score climbed to 21-17 with the Camels leading after a Harty kill. Campbell managed to finish out the set holding back the Wildcats to win the set 25-20 and the game in three sets.
Campbell tallied 41 kills throughout the match with Harty recording 12 and Tait 10 to lead the attacking front. Ramirez and Summer Schuitema shared time at setter and both dished out the ball 18 times to set the offensive pace. Crema again lead the defense with 14 digs and Ramirez chipped in 10 for a team total of 50.
"In general the offense is coming along and is getting better each week. I am really excited and look forward to the next game," said Goral.
Campbell has the week off before they head to Raleigh to compete in the NC State Double Tree Cary Classic on Sept. 18-19. The Camels will face N.C. State Friday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m. and will follow up on Saturday, Sept. 19, with a double header against Hampton at 12 p.m. and the Volunteers of Tennessee at 7 p.m.
