GREENSBORO, N.C. - Riding a late-season surge, the fifth-seeded Guilford College women's volleyball team ventures to Lynchburg, Virginia to battle the fourth-seeded University of Lynchburg in what projects as an exciting matchup on paper in the Quarterfinals round of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Tournament on Tuesday evening at Turner Gymnasium starting at 6:30 PM.
 
Guilford finished the regular season 7-5 in the ODAC, and 13-12 overall, but they have been playing really good volleyball over the past month-and-a-half, winning ten of their final 13 matches to close the regular season. One of their few setbacks was to the 18-11 Hornets who stand at 8-4 in ODAC play. In their recent matchup on November 1st, the Hornets swept the Quakers, however, do not let the sweep fool you as all three sets were very well contested.
 
The 2024 season has been a season of growth for the Quakers. A solid start in their opening week of play led into a bit of a sluggish start in ODAC competition, dropping their first three conference contests, albeit two of them coming at the hands of the ODAC regular season champions, Washington & Lee University, and the third-seeded Bridgewater College. Securing some wins on their home court, Guilford built confidence and hit their stride as the calendar turned, defeating Randolph-Macon College for the first time on the road since 2002, winning a set against Virginia Wesleyan University for the first time since 2017, and coming away victorious in seven of their final nine matches in league play to rocket up the standings. They capped it off with a crucial reverse sweep of Ferrum College a week ago to secure the fifth seed into the ODAC Tournament.
 
Guilford's volleyball team has had strong individual performances this season. Chrisbel Alcantara (San Juan, P.R.) leads the charge with 276 kills and is ranked eighth in the ODAC for kills. Natalie Moore (Talbott, Tenn.) contributes across the board as she is fifth in the ODAC with service aces, 13th in kills, and tenth in points with 317.5, while Kaci Johnson (Winterville, N.C.) is in the top-25 for kills, hitting percentage, and blocks. Vanessa Johnson (Charlotte, N.C.) stands out at the net as she is ranked third in the conference in blocks and 13th in hitting percentage. Madison Duvall (Sophia, N.C.) has been efficient since coming back from injury swinging at a .252 clip, while setter Maddi Page (Jonesboro, Ga.) directs the offense and is number two in conference in assists along with being 11th in service aces. Defensively, Madison Bozarth (Greensboro, N.C.) anchors the back row and is ranked second in conference in service aces and fourth in digs.
 
Projected Starters
Chrisbel Alcantara (San Juan, P.R.), (276 K, .200 hitting per., 107 Digs)
Natalie Moore (Talbott, Tenn.), (248 K, 48 SA, 244 Digs, 37 BA, .139 hitting per.)
Kaci Johnson (Winterville, N.C.), (231 K, .203  hitting per., 46 BA)
Vanessa Johnson (Charlotte, N.C.), (126 K, .234 hitting per., 12 BS, 75 BA)
Madison Duvall (Sophia, N.C.), (42 K, .252 hitting per., 23 BA, 14 Digs)
Maddi Page (Jonesboro, Ga.), (831 A, 34 SA, 203 Digs, 68 K, .218 hitting per.)
Madison Bozarth (Greensboro, N.C.), (332 Digs, 50 A)
 
Key Contributors for Lynchburg
Tori Williamson (322 K, .169 hitting per., 312 Digs, 24 BA)
Kailey Keough (270 K, .195 hitting per.)
Bree Spainhour (222 K, .203 hitting per., 79 Digs, 54 BA)
 
"We need to limit our errors in order to keep the momentum and clean up serve and pass," said Head Coach Kelsey Goodman when previewing the match. "Tough serving was a big focus of preseason. They (Guilford) have come a long way in that category. [As for the] blocking line up, being effective on offense from all three hitters, serve and pass being more fluid and controlled are our big focuses."
 
The strong ODAC matchup will transpire in Lynchburg on Tuesday, November 12th at 6:30 PM.
 
#GoQuakes