DUE WEST, SC - The Erskine women's volleyball team defeated the Bulldogs of Barton College, 3-1, to advance to the Conference Carolinas Tournament Finals for the 2nd consecutive year.  

Erskine jumped ahead early in the 1st set, forcing a Barton timeout leading 8-3.  The Fleet would maintain their lead throughout the set holding an 18-13 advantage when the Bulldogs would take their 2nd timeout of the set.  They would then close out the set, winning handily 25-19.  The Fleet attacked well in the set, hitting .341, led by Sami Harting, who had 5 kills in only 6 opportunities.  Kelly Sullivan also had 5 kills and Marissa Mayfield contributed 4.  Kristen Dodge dished out 15 assists in the set.  

In the 2nd set, it would be Barton who would force a Fleet timeout with the Bulldogs leading 13-7.  The Fleet would respond by taking 3 of the next 4 points and the Bulldogs would call a timeout of their own, still leading 14-10.  The Bulldogs would maintain their four point lead for most of the set with the Fleet taking their second timeout of the set trailing, 23-18.  Barton would take the last two points to win the 2nd set, 25-18.  The Fleet attack could not get going in the 2nd set, but was lead again by Harting with 4 kills.

The Bulldogs would once again jump out to an early lead in the 3rd set, 7-2.  Erskine would fight all the way back to within one at 11-10 after a Kelly Sullivan block, and force a Barton timeout.   Back-to-back kills by Sullivan out of the timeout would give the Fleet their first lead of the set at 12-11.  Bulldogs would call their second timeout of the set after the Fleet pushed their lead to 18-14.  Marissa Mayfield would finish off the set with a kill and the Fleet would win, 25-20.  Both teams hit below .100 for the set, but Sullivan led the Fleet with 8 of their 13 kills in the set in only 10 attempts.

Both teams would trade points early in the 4th set.  The Fleet would pull slightly ahead 11-8 on a Harting kill, causing a Barton timeout.  Erskine would expand their lead as the set went on, forcing another Bulldog timeout up 17-11.   The Fleet's momentum continued to build after the timeout as they would immediately take a 21-11 lead.  The Bulldogs would fight back to within four, 22-18, forcing Coach Vahjen to call a timeout.  With the Fleet leading 24-21, Dodge would put away the kill to give Erskine the set, 25-21, and the match 3-1.  

Sunday's Conference Carolinas Championship match is set for 3 pm at Belk Arena. #1 Erskine will take on #3 Limestone in the championship match. The Fleet took both regular season matches from the Saints in the regular season.