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The final non-conference match of Benedict’s inaugural season finished in two program firsts.
Benedict earned its first win against a ConfCarolinas school and won back-to-back matches for the first time as it swept Lees-McRae 25-19, 25-23, 26-24 on Tuesday in Columbia, South Carolina.
The Tigers (5-11, 3-4 SIAC) entered this match 0-5 against ConfCarolinas teams, including a three-game road loss to the Bobcats in January.
Outside attacker Ras Jesse Delancy in the victory had both a team-high two aces and 11 kills. Delancy closed out the match with three kills on the final four plays that was highlighted by the match-winning kill.
This also was the third consecutive conference match that Delancy finished with double-digit kills.
Benedict out-hit Lees-McRae .220 to .105 and had a match-best .300 attack percentage in its six-point opening game win.
The Tigers had four players with more than five kills against the Bobcats (7-8, 3-5 ConfCarolinas). Along with Delancy, opposite Jomari Jacobs contributed seven kills on a team-best .417 attack percentage.
Both setter Terran Walkin and libero Clint Forbes led Benedict defensively with 11 digs.
Max Kuntz in the loss had a team-high 10 kills on a .500 attack percentage. Kuntz, though, was the only Bobcat to hit more than .250.
The Bobcats also received a red card late in the third game en route to their two-match winning streak coming to an end.
Lees-McRae received the red card after converting on a kill to tie the third game at 22-22. Benedict following the red card ended the match on a 4-2 run.
Lees-McRae did not play outside attacker Michael Marsans in this match. Marsans is leading the nation with a 5.20 kills per game average, including a match-high 24 kills in a victory against Belmont Abbey last week