Aug. 30, 2011
Final Stats
By Dan Ryan
B-CUAthletics.com
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Janeen Davis had a signature match Tuesday night . Bethune-Cookman came close to registering one of its own.
The Lady Wildcats erased a two-set deficit and led the fifth 4-0 before Jacksonville rallied for a 3-2 (25-17,25-22,23-25,27-25,15-10) victory in historic Moore Gymnasium.
Jacksonville (2-3) scored the final six points to claim the victory and deny the Lady Wildcats (1-2) one of those memorable nights that could set the tone for an entire season. Two-set comebacks don't happen very often.
"We have a lot to learn," said B-CU coach Isaac Raphael. "Finishing matches was a nemesis last year and we got a little tense at the end. But this was an example of our progress.
"How close are we? I'm a coach, so I'll never be satisfied," Raphael added. " We are a lot closer than I thought we'd be right now."
Davis, a 5-11 junior, had a career night with a 22-kill, 14-dig double-double that reaffirmed she's now one of the Lady Wildcats' offensive threats. Krysta Gardner continued a strong start to the season with a double-double of her own - 19 kills and 10 digs.
"She was pretty much unstoppable," Raphael said of Davis. "Jacksonville really didn't have an answer for her. As long as we pass well and get the ball to her and Krysta, we can do fine."
Davis had service runs of four and three points in the third set as B-CU erased deficits of 14-10 and 22-19 to extend the match. The three-point run came when after her kill cut the lead to 23-22 and was aided by a Gardner kill on set point.
In the fourth set, B-CU escaped match point and scored the final three points, two on Davis kills.
B-CU's setting duo of Alexis Bliese and Frances Rodriguez combined for 44 assists and 11 digs while Jennifer Jimenez finished with 12 digs. Linda Nwabuko had four kills, three blocks and three block assists.
"We have to tweak and get some other players up to speed attacking," Raphael said.
B-CU travels to Tampa this weekend for the USF Invitational beginning Friday.
